On Wednesday, October 8, WSHC, the Shepherd University student-run radio station, worked alongside the Animal Welfare Society of Jefferson County and the National Humane Education Society to bring the Puppy Playdate event to Shepherd University.
With music playing and wind blowing, the event was held on the lawn in front of Knutti Hall. Students and faculty alike gathered outside to mingle with one another and give attention to the dogs brought in by the Welfare Society.
Jenna Tennant, the WSHC Chief Operation Officer, was on site, ensuring everything ran smoothly. She helped with the puppies, kept up with the Radio Station table, scanned students’ event passes via the Corq app, and ensured waivers were signed properly before students pet the dogs.
“I hope that it brings WSHC and Animal Shelters visibility,” Tennant said.
The main goal of the event was to bring recognition to the local animal shelters and de-stress students during midterms.
“I’m pretty happy and chill right now. It’s a nice distraction from midterms.” Linnea Van Der Aarde, an Undergraduate Senior attending Shepherd University, said. She decided to attend after hearing there would be puppies on campus. Which, according to Tennant, was how they came up with the idea behind the event in the first place.
“This has been the least stressful midterms I have ever had,” said Daniel Oson, an undergraduate student in his Senior year at Shepherd University, “I think everybody needs a break during midterms because it’s just a bulrush throughout the week.” Oson attended after hearing about it earlier in the day and wanting to be around dogs.
“[The dogs] have made my mental health better,” said Rory Williamson, an Undergraduate Freshman attending Shepherd University. Williamson stayed alongside Molly, one of the puppies, for a good portion of the event. When the dogs first arrived, she was one of the first people to sign a waiver and sat on the ground with Molly and Matrix, a one-year-old mixed-breed puppy.
Williamson was distraught when she had to depart just a few minutes later for an exam. As soon as she returned, she was on the ground once more with the dogs.
“I think it’s been a smash hit,” Tennant said. “I really hope we can do this again in the spring for midterms.”
The main goal of the event was to bring recognition to the local animal shelters and de-stress students during midterms.
“Thank you to the Animal Welfare Society of Jefferson County and the National Humane Education Society,” Tennant said.
Additional information about the Animal Welfare Society of Jefferson County and the National Humane Education Society can be found on their websites.
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