Therapy dogs Finnegan, Copper, Orlie, Polly Mae, Shiloh, Sadie and Sophie gathered in the O’Shaughnessy-Frey Library’s rotunda Wednesday to lick faces, shake paws and help students de-stress.

Library Circulation Supervisor Karen Batdorf brought therapy dogs to campus for the first time last December and was surprised by their popularity. The dogs returned this fall to help ease the stress of the first weeks of the semester.

“It’s something we’ve been wanting to do for a long time,” Batdorf said about bringing in therapy dogs. “We wanted to do it now because we know there’s a lot of stress in starting college.”

Sophomore Samantha Stewart, who helped get the library ready for the dogs, said she thinks the dogs will help students who miss their pets at home.

“I think that everyone in college struggles with mental health,” Stewart said. “You have to keep smiling, and dogs are great for doing that.”

Grace Pastoor can be reached at past6138@stthomas.edu.