Kate Ryan, wtop.com
WASHINGTON – It may be the most unusual test prep ever.
Law students at George Mason University’s Arlington campus gather in Hazel Hall where the atrium floor’s been covered with tarps and newspaper. And inside a couple of wire pens, they find litters of puppies.
And for now, instead of guzzling lattes and flipping through flash cards, they’re encouraged to pick up the puppies and start snuggling.
Second year law student Lauren Brice cradles a hound mix in her arms. “It’s very soothing. You can’t really be stressed looking at these puppies.”
Debbie Marson with “A Forever Home” dog rescue in Reston says that’s just the idea. She started bringing puppies to the law school’s Arlington campus last spring at the suggestion of a neighbor who happens to work at GMU.
“It’s great for the puppies because they get socialization. It’s great for the students because they get to decompress. And it’s great because for us because it gets the word out about our rescue group,” Marson says.
One group of students jokes it might be nice to have the puppies in the room during finals. “No one dislikes puppies,” says one second year student.
“It’s pretty hard to go wrong with puppies.”
Will it help their grades? These students say even if it doesn’t, the infusion of puppy-cuteness is just what they need right now.
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