The Georgia Tech Library and CAREing Paws, a local group of therapy teams, are helping students de-stress during dead week by bringing therapy dogs to the library. The dogs will be in the Neely Room Dec. 4–5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"This is the first time I’ve smiled all week — well, all month really," said Christine Delacerna, a senior biomedical engineering major from New Jersey, who took a break from studying Tuesday to spend time with the dogs.

CAREing Paws uses nationally registered animal-owner/handler therapy teams who visit schools, libraries and other settings. Economics librarian Ameet Doshi reached out to the group in hopes of helping Tech students cope with the stress of dead week and final exams. 

"Therapy dogs have become a trend among many libraries," Doshi said. "In the Atlanta area, Georgia Perimeter College has done it in the past and Emory is doing it this semester." Therapy dogs have also received media attention at schools such as Yale and Dalhousie universities.

Following the therapy dog visits, the Library will host StressBuzzters on Thursday, Dec. 6, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on 2West. Students will receive free snacks, bottled water, tips on reducing stress, stress balls and massages. The event is sponsored in collaboration with the Campus Recreation Center, Office of Health Promotion and the Counseling Center.