Fife College Students are pictured in the Fife College Students’ Association Office at the College’s Glenrothes Campus with ‘therapets’, Ralph, Holly, Izzy and Jilli. 

‘Therapets’ Ralph, Holly, Izzy and Jilli helped Fife College students calm any exam or assessment nerves this week.  

Arranged by the Fife College Students’ Association (FCSA), the pawesome pups visited the College’s Glenrothes Campus on Thursday (2 May) for the first of three ‘Paws for Stress’ sessions. 

The sessions, put on by Canine Concern Scotland Trust, aim to help reduce any worries students might have as the 2018/19 academic year draws to a close with exams, assessments and graded unit deadlines. 

This is the second year that Canine Concern Scotland Trust have visited the College during exam period to provide some canine therapy.

HNC Broadcast Media student, Emily Hardie, was one of a number of students to drop into the ‘therapets’ session.  Emily, from Cowdenbeath, said: “I’d had a bit of a stressful morning editing and was walking past the office when I seen them.  I think it is a great idea to have them come into College.  I have two dogs myself - they are great companions and really help lower your stress.”    

Carol Hunter, Fife College Students’ Association President, said:

“As the end of the academic year approaches, students are working hard to complete their graded units and exams and we want to encourage them to take some time out to relax. Studies show that animals, and especially dogs, have a remarkable calming effect, so the therapets sessions give students a chance to ‘sit’, ‘paws’ and ‘fetch’ their thoughts. We are looking forward to the other sessions arranged in addition to other well-being incentives that we have organised to help students”.

Gill Coleman, Assistant Fife Area Representative for Canine Concern Scotland, said:

“We are delighted to be back at Fife College with the therapets again this year.  The students love having the dogs in, they just really help everyone relax a little and we even get a few members of staff sneaking in too! 

“Research shows that the mere action of stroking a dog slows down the heartbeat and reduces blood pressure so they can be a great help to anyone feeling nervous about exams and assessments.  We’re looking forward to coming along to the Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy campuses in the next few weeks.”

The further sessions are planned at the College’s FCSA offices at the Dunfermline Campus (Thursday, 9 May) and the Kirkcaldy Campus (Wednesday, 22 May). 

For further information about Fife College Students' Association visit the FCSA pages.