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>>ANCHOR: College students feeling the pressure of final exams enjoyed a little visit from
man's best friends. More than a dozen therapy dogs and their handlers were at RIT, giving
students the opportunity to take their minds off the books and focus on having some fun.
YNN's Kate McGowan has more.
>>REPORTER: It's a challenging time for college students.
>>CAROLYN HUDDLESTON: It's just been really stressful studying with preparing for my exams
and everything.
>>REPORTER: But some pups are helping students feel a little more relaxed. Fourteen therapy
dogs and their handlers paid a visit to the National Technical Institute for the Deaf
at RIT on Friday. Students from all over the campus could come and play with the dogs to
get their mind off the stresses of school.
>>ROB DOOLING: It's a great way to relax by playing with the dogs, and petting them, cuddling
them.
>>REPORTER: Therapy dogs go through a comprehensive training. Both the handlers and their pups
have to go through hours of classes, and become certified. Therapy dogs are brought to schools,
libraries, and nursing homes, offering their comfort to people. All dogs can become therapy
>>MICHAELL SERVE: A good therapy dog, it's not related to the particular breed. There
are all kinds.
>>REPORTER: Serve said bringing therapy animals to a college campus is important, because
students are able to disconnect themselves from their worries, and focus on happier times.
>>MICHAEL SERVE: The connection is the same, whether the student is deaf or can hear. Kids,
people, love dogs.
>>REPORTER: Many students said that the dogs here remind them of their own at home. They
say it's a comforting feeling during a stressful time.
>>CAITLIN DIFFENDERFER: It's distressing and it makes me not miss my dog as much.
>>CAROLYN HUDDLESTON: I have one dog at home, his name is Luke, and he's a golden retriever.
I am going to see him in two weeks and I can't wait to see him.
>>REPORTER: RIT said the reaction from the event was overwhelming and it plans to have
the pups back during future exam weeks. Students say they couldn't be happier.
>>CAROLYN HUDDLESTON: When you come in and just see the students interacting with the
dogs, they are just happy playing with them. More importantly, when you see the smile on
their faces, it shows obviously that they're happy.
>>REPORTER: Kate McGowan, YNN.