Bemidji State Hosts De Stress With Pets Event, Eases Finals Strain

Bemidji State University filled the Beaux Arts Ballroom on December 9 for its biannual De Stress With Pets event, bringing trained support dogs and adoptable kittens into the heart of finals week. Organizers from BSU Health Education and student groups coordinated with Great River Rescue and local training and therapy dog organizations to provide a low barrier break for students facing exam related stress.

The event paired brief animal interaction sessions with information on campus mental health resources, creating both immediate relief and pathways to longer term support. Organizers described the program as popular among students and cited informal data indicating the sessions reduce students self reported stress levels. Great River Rescue brought kittens that were available for adoption during the event, offering a community benefit that extends beyond the university.

The program sits within a wider shift on college campuses toward nonclinical interventions that complement counseling services. For students, short animal assisted interactions can lower acute stress and create opportunities to learn about counseling hours, online support tools, and crisis contacts. For the university, widespread participation signals persistent pressure points during high stakes academic periods and the need to balance demand for counseling with scalable wellness programming.

Local partner organizations also gain from the arrangement. Adoption opportunities during campus events can increase placements and visibility for rescue groups, while volunteer trainers and therapy teams strengthen ties to the student population. Those links have practical economic implications for the area, since student retention and success affect tuition revenue, housing demand, and local commerce in Bemidji.

By hosting the event during finals week, BSU leveraged a predictable stress spike to reach students when they are most likely to seek relief. The combination of immediate stress reduction and direct referrals to mental health services represents a pragmatic model for campus wellbeing that can be replicated at other peak academic times. As demand for mental health support continues, programs that partner with community organizations offer a cost effective and community centered option for both student welfare and local nonprofits.