Saturday
Sep092017
Wellness Spotlight
Saturday, September 9, 2017 at 02:32AM This is our first ever feature of the Wellness Spotlight. SAVMA's Wellness committee came up with a great way to share all the wonderful wellness events that each school is putting on - feature them in The Vet Gazette. Read about the wellness event that Royal Veterinary College came up with.........
At Royal Veterinary College wellness is the “overall concept of being able to prosper
while being happy, healthy and comfortable with day to day life.” To promote this idea
the Students’ Union put on an event to encourage joy and wellness to their students
which the SAVMA Wellness Committee wanted to share.
The RVC Students’ Union organized for a group of 16 puppies to come visit the students
for cuddles and play time. They used a company that specializes in animal encounters
who then worked with breeders for a mutually beneficial experience: the puppies
received extra socialization, and the students were able to relieve the extra stress they
had before finals week.
Here are some helpful tips if you would like to organize this wellness event at your
school:
- The event overall costed near 600 USD, which was funded by the Students’ union.
- Another (and potentially less expensive) way to provide an opportunity for your students to have puppy cuddle time is to work with a guide dog association.
- Consider offering fundraising services while reaching out to organizations so they see the experience as mutually beneficial.
- Depending on the size of your student body, you may have to use a strict sign up sheet for play time so that all students have an opportunity to visit the puppies and destress.
- Plan the event a week before final exams. It can be difficult for students to remember to provide time for their personal wellness before finals, but who can resist play time with puppies?
- No room on campus for 16 puppies? Try a local community center close to campus.
Overall RVC Students’ union put on a wellness event that was a large success. The feedback was very positive, and there is a huge demand for the event again this year. Thank you to Hatti Smart for sharing this event with us.
Hosted a wellness event at your school? We’d love to hear about it. Email SGans29@midwestern.edu or mazurows@ncus.edu for more information about how to share.
