May 14, 2013 09:27 AM EDT By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

College students preparing for semester finals are advised to engage in stress-free related activities including pursuing their hobbies to relieve some of the pressure of writing the exams.

This year, Montana State brought in dogs to the campus in the last two weeks of April to help students ease the stress.

 "Stress levels rise around finals time on college campuses every year, and there's research that shows that using animals in a therapy setting has multiple benefits, including reduced stress and reduced blood pressure," said Jacqueline Frank, library commons assistant, who started 'Paws to de-Stress,' this semester.

'Paws to de-Stress' program brings dogs from Intermountain Therapy Animals to Renne Library on campus. The program is a collaboration between the library and Intermountain, a non-profit organization that aims to enhance quality of life through human-animal bonds.

Around 261 students spent time with Ellie, a 6-year-old golden retriever and Sophie, a 4-year-old Maltese, during the first two-hour period therapy.

Sophie, dressed in black with ear piercings and a metal chain on the belt, quietly obeyed whatever commands Dan Montague, a junior studying mechanical engineering, gave.

During the interaction, Sophie stood on her hind legs and paddled its front paws in the air.

Sophomore Rebecca Johnson said the session with the dogs was very effective.

Sophie and her master, Sandy Watson, usually interact with residents at Gallatin Valley nursing homes and with people in hospices.

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