Central Missouri Humane Society, a nonprofit shelter in Columbia, worked with the College of Arts and Science to put on Puppy Playtime Nov. 4.
Puppy Playtime is a part of Take a break Tuesdays. Take a break Tuesdays happen on the first Tuesday of every month, and once a semester, they host Puppy Playtime.
One of the benefits that the Humane Society receives from Puppy Playtime is the socialization of its dogs. The animals are exposed to larger groups and noises, which helps them become desensitized to these new experiences.
Students also benefit from spending time with dogs.
“Studies have shown that it actually does benefit people emotionally, and so they get that benefit of getting that fix in from missing your animals back home,” said Emily Nelson, Central Missouri Humane Society event coordinator. “Just getting to love animals who really deserve it and who kind of just want all of it.”
Sophomore Olivia Taylor, an events intern for the College of Arts and Science, said she can see people’s faces light up when they interact with the puppies.
“It gives people things to look forward to sometimes, and it can just be a break in your day or break in your semester, your week,” Taylor said. “Let students relax and focus on something other than your classes or work.”
Nelson shared that college students are often not ready to commit to adopting a dog.
“I think having these events we don’t necessarily expect adoptions just because this is the time in college students lives where they probably wouldn’t want or should be getting a puppy because it’s a huge commitment, and they should be focusing on their studies, and living that carefree life for these four years,” Nelson said.
Interacting with the Humane Society teaches people other ways to get involved. Volunteers can walk dogs, play with them on site or take them on a dog-friendly field trip.
Although Puppy Playtime doesn’t increase adoption from students, it gives faculty and other Mizzou community members a chance to meet the dogs.
“We do get some adoptions for faculty and staff that attend the event,” Nelson said. ”So last semester we had a bunch of Shih Tzu puppies, and we had like four or five staff members adopt from there. So that was really cute.”
Students can find the Humane Society in other places on campus as well. Central Missouri Humane Society is often invited to sporting events for fundraising nights or in Speakers Circle, where different organizations hold pay to pet events.
