USM students play with puppies to decrease stress

HATTIESBURG, Miss - Finals week is approaching and University of Southern Mississippi Honors College had puppies available for students to pet as a stress reliever.

Brittany Curtzwiler, Southern Pines Animal Shelter Events Coordinator, says, "A lot of these students are I guess what you can say are out of towners, they are here for school, they do not get to see their pets at home as much as they like, so this is a welcome break for them to get a break with the puppies."

Students, faculty, and staff were invited to visit the dogs of Southern Pines Animal Shelter and enjoy the interaction. AnimalSmart.org says, "Playing with or petting an animal can increase levels of the stress-reducing hormone oxytocin and decrease production of the stress hormone cortisol."