On Tuesday during college hour, a dozen dogs suddenly showed up in the Bankier Library! The dogs and their owners swarmed the front desk, getting in the way of anyone entering or leaving! They pounced on students and distracted many from studying!
Just joking.
The dogs were part of Brookdale’s Anti-Stress Day. And the dogs didn’t attack anyone with physical force, only with cuteness.
Most of the dogs were equipped with blue vests labeling them as therapy dogs. They were very approachable, and even jumped in excitement as students reached their arms out to pet them. The students in turn were delighted to give them tummy rubs and pet them relentlessly.

Anti-Stress Day is meant as a day for students to take just a moment away from studying to relax. There is an Anti-Stress Day, or even week, toward the end of each semester. Along with the mob of adorable puppies at the library, there was simultaneously several massaging chairs, aromatherapy and an oxygen bar at the SLC.

But the dogs garnered almost as much attention on the other end of campus. The first dog to show up at Bankier Library was Dexter, who made an instant splash when he started barking as soon as he got to the front desk. Dexter was the most energetic canine throughout the event. According to his owner, the 8-year-old pup still acted like he was just 2. He bumped into more than one student in demand for attention and pets, and he howled a number of times.

Almost polar opposite to Dexter was Teddy. Teddy preferred to remain seated for most of the get-together. When students approached him, he frankly had little to no response. Teddy seemed to prefer a more sophisticated relaxation method. His fur was groomed to excellence and his laying stance was nothing if not patient. Teddy’s owner accurately described him as photogenic.
Altogether, it was an expected success. Brookdale has invited therapy dogs before the end of the semester a couple of times. The strategy has never failed to put smiles on the stressed students’ faces. There will also be therapy dogs coming for specific classes next week as well.