Spending time with your pet can help get you through the semester.
You love dogs because… well, they are just so darn cuddly and cute. But did you also know that being around these friendly canines can improve your health?
Being a dog lover reduces stress
Studies have shown that dog owners are less likely to suffer from depression and have lower blood pressure in stress-inducing situations than those without pets. Additionally, when people with borderline high blood pressure adopted dogs from a shelter, their blood pressure declined significantly within five months. It turns out being a dog lover is actually therapeutic.
Pet therapy on campus
So, how do our furry friends help pet-loving students? Many University of California (UC) campuses host something called “Therapy Fluffies”—something that’s starting to gain traction across the country at several schools and organizations.
Therapy Fluffies are events where dogs who are big on love come to campus during finals week and let stressed out college kids pet them. It doesn’t seem like much, but imagine stressing out over an organic chemistry final when suddenly you see a beautiful chocolate labrador that wants YOU to pet him.
It’s been proven that playing with dogs or cats can raise serotonin and dopamine levels, which in turn reduces school-related stress. Being a dog lover can therefore make you a calmer and happier student.
So, the next time you’re stressing over a big test coming up, take a quick 10-minute break and pet your dog. It’s scientifically proven to help you live a happier and healthier lifestyle.
This National Pet Month, Kaplan can also help you take the edge off finals with $200 off test prep.* Also, show us how you de-stress with your pet on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram with the hashtag #PrepWithYourPet, and we’ll donate $5 to pet welfare org Bideawee.**
*Offer: $200 off applies to comprehensive In Person, Live Online, and Private Tutoring new enrollments from May 19, 2016 through May 23, 2016 11:59 p.m. PT only. $100 off applies to Self-Paced new enrollments from May 19, 2016 through May 23, 2016. Math Foundations, Data Sufficiency, Practice Packs and Quiz Bank are excluded from this offer. Discount may not be combined with any other promotion or offer.
**One submission per account. For each submission Kaplan will donate $5. Total cumulative donation will not exceed $2500. Bideawee is a leading pet welfare organization, cultivating and supporting the lifelong relationships between pets and the people who love them. Providing pet adoption services, animal hospital recommendations, and more. Visit www.bideawee.org for more information.
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