With drooling smiles and wagging tails, all types of dogs came to Pet'n'Play along with their owners and Ball State University students.
Health Services and Health/Stress Outreach Teams are holding a series of stress-relieving events all week, hoping to curb students stress as projects and finals near.
Starting the week with Pet'n'Play, held at the Scramble Light, gave students the opportunity to have fun outside with different breeds of dogs.
Phillip Keck, graduate assistant for the Stress Outreach team, said he brought his border collie, Duncan, to share with the students because he realizes the stress that builds toward the end of the semester.
"With finals bogging us down, it's cool to walk to class and see little cute dogs or dogs like Duncan that just want to play fetch with you," he said. "It helps with the end of the semester crunch."
Along with Duncan, there was also Saffron, an almost 2-year-old Norwich terrier. Owner Holly Kleinschmidt, assistant director of University Apartments, said she brought Saffron because not only do the students get to have fun, but the dogs do as well.
She said her dog is friendly and loved being at the event, adding that her dog had not met a person she didn't like.
"We're all stressed out, and whenever I see an event like this, I like to participate," Kleinschmidt said. "I know everyone needs a mental break."
Kelly Schumal, junior architecture major, said she came to the event because she missed her two pets at home.
"It's a stress reliever and finals are giving everyone trouble, but playing with puppies definitely helps," she said.
Sophomore zoology major Mindy Bone got out of class early, giving her the chance to play with the dogs. She said loving animals is a universal thing.
Kimberly Gorman, associate director for training at the Counseling Center, said Pet'n'Play was a way to remember and share the joy of having a pet.
"There is something soothing about petting these dogs, and there are also some students that say they miss their pets," she said.
Today, the Health Services and Health/Stress Outreach teams will be holding pilates at 1 p.m. at University Green and yoga at noon Wednesday at University Green.
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