Neumann University students had the opportunity to do yoga with puppies in late February, just before spring break. To the hosts' knowledge, this type of event had never been done on campus.
Students who organized the activity described it as “incredibly successful” with over seventy people trying to sign up for a space that could accommodate only thirty – the reflection lounge on the second floor of the Abessinio Building.
The event was hosted by four seniors majoring in health sciences as a group project for one of their classes. Rebecca DeCarlo, Lisa Golob, Nicole Arcilla, and Mikaylee Henhawk all participated in and planned this successful event for Neumann students.
Golob got the idea to host this event because of her volunteer work at an animal shelter named Rags 2 Riches, located in Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania. She and the other three seniors thought it was a good idea for the project and decided to plan the event. Golob said the sole purpose of this event was “to let everyone relax.”
DeCarlo stressed that this event would help students with self-care as well as prioritizing their own mental health. Arcilla agreed, saying that this event will take students’ minds off things as well as relieve stress. She added that puppies calm and relax students at a time when schoolwork and tests are piling up.
Finally, Henhawk expressed her belief that everyone loves dogs - especially puppies. She noted that puppies help people cope with stress and could improve the mental health of students who attend.
Directed by the four students who organized the activity, thirty students did yoga with six different puppies for an hour. Based on the smiles and laughter that filled the room, this time with the puppies allowed students to relax and take their minds off things like schoolwork and tests.
With more than 40 students still eager for puppy yoga, who knows whether the class will organize another event later this semester?
