Students at Carlmont High School found a way to relax and take a break from the stress of finals season this week when four therapy dogs visited campus for an event hosted in the Associated Student Body (ASB) classroom. This has been an ongoing event for several years. Designed to help students decompress before exams, it gave small groups a chance to step away from academic pressure and spend time in a calm, friendly space.
Many students reported feeling the weight of the upcoming week.
“I’ve been feeling stressed and under a lot of pressure, knowing finals can change my grade,” said Kaelin Kurt, a student at Carlmont.
Throughout lunch, groups of eight to 10 students entered the ASB classroom for timed sessions. Each group received one minute and 30 seconds to interact with the dogs, creating short but meaningful moments of relief. Despite the quick rotation, the atmosphere remained steady and peaceful as students moved quietly in and out of the room.
“I was excited to see the dogs, especially since I like dogs and could hang out with them for a little while,” Kurt said.
The ASB classroom was transformed into a quiet zone designed to reduce anxiety. Soft lighting, gentle conversation, and the presence of the dogs created an environment that contrasted sharply with the usual noise of finals week. Many students arrived tense, but their posture and expressions softened as they sat on the floor and petted the dogs.
“The calm environment in the classroom made everything feel even more relaxing,” Kurt said.
“When you’re with a dog, you’re very present in the moment. You’re not worrying about what’s coming up or what you just did. It’s very calming because you start focusing on what’s really important instead of a bunch of worrying, which isn’t productive,” said Wendy Carmody, a therapy dog handler.
The emotional shift students experienced made sense.
“I felt stressed and anxious knowing I had a lot to do with finals coming up, but after petting the dogs, I felt more relaxed and relieved. Being in a calm environment with the dogs just made me happy,” Kurt said.
The four dogs varied in size and personality, giving students a mix of playful and laid-back interactions. According to Carmody, their presence brings a unique kind of comfort.
“They love you no matter what. There’s no judgment and no drama — just comfort,” Carmody said. “Spending time with dogs is the most joyful thing to do. Dogs and teenagers are the best.”
As students stepped back into the courtyard, many said the short visit left them feeling lighter.
“It made me feel relaxed and didn’t make me think about the finals coming up,” Kurt said.
With finals approaching, even a minute and a half of calm proved decisive. For many, the dogs provided exactly the pause they needed to face the week ahead with more confidence and a lot less stress.
