Furry dogs and cats took over the second floor of Ernie Pyle Hall on Monday for the first day of College Care Week. Hosted by the Walter Center for Career Achievement, “Puppy Love Day” was the first of many events to take place this week as students complete the final stretch of the school year.
On “Puppy Love Day,” hundreds of students filtered into Ernie Pyle Hall throughout the day and waited in line to meet the pets of the College of Arts and Sciences faculty.
Among those at the event was sophomore biology major Olivia McCallister. McCallister said it was relaxing to be able to see the pets.
“I’ve come to the last two puppy events, I think. It’s just nice to be able to pet an animal,” she said. “I have pets at home, and I miss them, so this is nice.”
Carolyn Blank, associate director of advising for first year programs and initiatives at the College of Arts and Sciences, volunteered to visit with students alongside her furry friend, Calliope. Calliope is a four-year-old corgi who knows a handful of tricks including how to roll over, spin and shake.
“Even during the school year, I try to walk her around campus because people get out of their zones when they see her and they give her a big smile, like it’s just immediate happy smiles that you see,” Blank said.
In the next room, Associate Director of Recruiting Lilly Reed volunteered with her labradoodle, Janny, who held a soggy carrot toy in her jaws. Reed has volunteered at “Puppy Love Day” for three semesters.
“I love talking with lots of different kinds of students,” Reed said. “I also love seeing Janny, how she just so freely enters this space. She’s loved and adored, and she just accepts it, and I think I can learn something from her.”
Reed said for students who are struggling with the stress of final exams, it is important to keep perspective.
“Getting good grades and working hard is really important, and it’s why you’re here, but also remember that you’re a person and perfection isn’t going to be something that you can attain even if you try,” she said.
Tanner Tarrell, senior director of operations and strategy at the Walter Center, helped to organize events for College Care Week.
“At the end of the day, our faculty and staff at the College are humans that are thinking about (students) and wanting to show that they are thinking about them and caring for them, and trying to put that into action somehow,” Tarrell said.
This semester, both indoor and outdoor spaces will be utilized to host College Care Week events. Outdoor events include a rock-climbing wall and yoga at Dunn Meadow and Rasta Pops at the Collins Courtyard.
“Spring is really fun because it opens up lots of new opportunities to, you know, get some UV, touch some grass, do all those sorts of things,” said Tarrell.
Inside Ernie Pyle Hall, bagels from Bloomington Bagel Company will be provided throughout the week as well as other snacks and drinks. Quiet study rooms will be offered daily along with four massage chairs in the Relaxation/Activity Room.
Tarrell said during finals week, it is important to follow your instincts and listen to your body.
“Step one is just, don’t compare yourself to your peers. We’re all taking different course loads and we’re all in different places in our life, we all have our own personal strengths we bring to our academic life,” he said. “I think it’s important to protect your own mental health and be in the right place to be able to absorb information by being kind to yourself.”
For more information about College Care Week, visit their website.
