+
236
BEAK the HEAT
SPECIAL SECTION INSIDE
+
MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2017 | VOLUME 134 ISSUE 04
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904
Self says Kings 'a great place' for Frank Mason III
▶ WESLEY DOTSON
@WesDotsonUDK
Self said he thinks Mason's mentality will
FINALS GUIDE
File Photo/KANSAN
Fite Photo/KANSAN Annica Davis pets Winnie, a therapy dog from Loving Paws, at GSP during Pause for Pups. The program is one of the ways the University is trying to prioritize mental heath.
KANSAN.COM
Animal therapy services to expand through crowdfunding
▶ MONA AHMED
@KansanNews
Watkins Memorial Health Center is trying
to raise $3,000 to expand their animal therapy services at the University.
The fundraiser will continue to help pay for Watkins' current programs, Pause 4 Pups and Stress Busting Study Breaks, but will also allow Watkins to expand the program and host more animal therapy events, said Health Educator Kelsey Fortin.
For example, Watkins is looking at taking dogs to classes during finals to let students interact with dogs before exams. Watkins has
evaluated the program and received positive feedback from students who participate, such as reduction in stress and changes in mood.
which ends May 15.
Thus far, Watkins has raised $635 through their crowdfunding campaign,
Pause 4 Pups is one of the two animal therapy programs at Watkins, where animal therapy dogs travel to different residence halls on campus every two weeks.
Watkins also brings
therapy dogs to the library for Stress Busting Study Breaks during finals week.
In 2013, Watkins started its animal therapy program with Stress Busting Study Breaks. Watkins created Pause 4 Pups in 2014 in an effort to help ease freshmen's transition into college, Health Educator Kelsey Fortin said. Out of state students, for example, might miss their pets at home, especially as animals are not allowed in the residence halls.
Interacting with dogs can help student relieve stress, Fortin said.
"Within five minutes of interaction with an animal stress can significantly lower," Fortin said. "It helps to
lower cortisol, a hormone that largely impacts stress."
Stress Busting Study Breaks helps students walk around and take breaks, which can especially improve productivity, Fontin said.
Millie Shah, a freshman from Overland Park, said spending time with dogs helps her forget about stress and work.
"I am a huge dog lover myself," Shah said. "I just like to spend time with them and forget about all my work, stress and problems ... they're free of service and it's a nice change and a good break from my routine."
Watkins works with a local non-profit organization called Loving Paws. Loving Paws was founded in 2013 to create an animal assistant program in Douglas County. Loving Paws holds events at after school programs, the juvenile detention center, retirement communities, the public library and the University. Each time Watkins uses the service, they have to pay.
Students can help contribute to Watkins' Animal Therapy program by getting their dogs certified as a therapy dog through Loving Paws. Students can also become a Peer Health Educator to help work Pause 4 Pups.
-Edited by Paola Alor
Kobertson said, shows the need for a community like this one.
"We've talked about it over the years but never had a sense that there was a particular interest or need yet. When it began to percolate from the students, before it was mostly our staff wondering if we should do it," Robertson said. "Finally it was our students saying, 'Hello, we want this,' and that's when we're going to act on it."
The work group, spear-
"Having a single room was cool, but it did suck that I missed the opportunity to live with a roommate all because I couldn't find someone who was open-minded," Wantling said. "Especially because once I got to KU I met a lot of open-minded people that said, 'Oh, I would have lived with you had I
Student Housing was a good one spent in a single room at GSP, she said, but getting there wasn't easy.
"I had a lot of people turn me down just because of my sexuality," Wantling said. "I had one girl who said, 'My mom doesn't want me to live with anyone that's gay,' and another one that was like, 'Well, my boyfriend might have a problem with that.'"
The creation of the GIH wing, Robertson said, is one step toward removing hurdles like those faced by students
INDEX
NEWS...2
OPINION...3
ARTS & CULTURE...4
SPORTS...6
Editor's Note: This story is the third in a series of stories looking at the way concealed carry on campus will look once it goes into effect July 1.
SEEDORM PAGE2
Each new semester brings a new round of syllabuses,but this semester professors will include a new added section of information that addresses concealed
carry on campus. As the University prepares to shift to an environment where students are legally allowed to bring concealed handguns to class, this will be just one of many preparations.
MCKENNA HARFORD
@McKennaHartford
In response to the arrival of concealed weapons on July 1 as a result of a 2013 state law, professors are taking steps to adjust their teaching style, class content, office hours or even seeking employment elsewhere.
Aerospace engineering professor Ron Barrett Gonzalez, president of the Kansas chapter of the American Association of University Professors, said this is because many faculty members are concerned that concealed carry will have a chilling effect in classrooms.
"I know a nontrivial number of faculty members who are changing their syllabus.
SEE GUNS PAGE 2
KANSAN.COM
GALLERY: LIVE ON MASS
Check out the photo gallery from Saturday's Live on Mass show on Kansan.com
ENGAGE WITH US
@KANSANNEWS
/THEKANSAN
KANSAN.NEWS
@UNIVERSITY
DAILYKANSAN
+