Therapy Dogs Visited Columbus Students for Midterm Stress
The annual RECESS event offered students a chance to decompress with therapy dogs and craft stations.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Dogs
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The Counseling and Consultation Service hosted its annual RECESS event on the South Oval on October 6, 2026. The gathering provided students with therapy dogs, craft stations, and informational resources to help manage midterm fatigue.
Why it matters
The event is held every October to support student wellness during the high-stress midterm exam season. By pairing therapy animal interactions with university support services, the initiative offers a structured way to combat semester burnout.
The 2026 RECESS event featured 15 therapy dogs for student interaction. This annual program has been a recurring resource for the university community since its inception in 2013.
The players
Counseling and Consultation Service
The university department responsible for managing student mental health resources and the annual RECESS program.
Buckeye Paws
A therapy dog organization that partners with university departments to provide animal-assisted support.
Buckeye Pet Partners
A regional organization providing therapy animals for student wellness events on campus.
The details
The event creates a dedicated space for students to step away from academic pressures through various interactive stations. Partners such as Buckeye Paws and Buckeye Pet Partners provide the therapy animals, while campus departments offer informational materials and craft activities to foster student well-being. Organizers also distributed free food and merchandise to encourage participation in the support resources provided.
Timeline
2013: The Counseling and Consultation Service began hosting RECESS.
October 6, 2026: The most recent annual RECESS event took place.
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: The duration of the event.
Every October: The recurring annual timing for this event.
The Home Front
The RECESS event follows a well-documented trend in campus wellness programming designed to mitigate academic stress during the midterm examination period. This initiative reflects a broader shift toward integrating animal-assisted support into university mental health outreach.
Students should keep an eye on university communications for future wellness opportunities scheduled during high-stress periods. If you are interested in animal-assisted support, check your campus calendar or official student life portals to locate upcoming dates for therapy animal visits.
The takeaway
Managing seasonal fatigue through structured social and therapeutic outlets can be an effective way to navigate high-pressure academic cycles. Keep campus department newsletters or student life websites bookmarked to stay informed on the next recurring wellness event dates.
Further reading
Learn more about local animal support initiatives in our Dogs section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Lantern.
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