Paws and Breathe

Friday, December 19, 2014

What better way to relieve stress and anxiety than to play with a four legged friend? Students at Holy Innocent’s Episcopal School have been treating their end of semester, final exam stress in just that way. The school has instituted a new Paws and Breathe program which brings service dogs from Canine Assistants into the school in the mornings of exam week. According to school officials it helps relieve some of the stress associated with finals week before getting off for the Christmas break. Four dogs were given free reign to play and interact with students at the school Friday morning as squeals of joy could be heard echoing down the halls usually followed by excited barking. The program may be on to something as there was an amazing change in the attitudes of the kids after playing with the animals. But don’t think it’s just good for students. The dogs also get some of the socializing benefits as well. Seems like a win-win and really like I said in the beginning who doesn’t enjoy getting to play with some awesome pups?

 Ileana Zeissner (left), Briana Neal and Saaleha Medlock sit in a hallway as they study for final exams at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Ileana Zeissner (left), Briana Neal and Saaleha Medlock sit in a hallway as they study for final exams at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Shai Blanding (left) sits on a couch with Kyle Murdock as they study for final exams at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Shai Blanding (left) sits on a couch with Kyle Murdock as they study for final exams at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Johnna Gadomski studies for final exams at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Johnna Gadomski studies for final exams at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Chris Cotton (center) studies for final exams at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Chris Cotton (center) studies for final exams at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Sarah Kate Schoen (right), Emma White and Khorkie Tyus pet Adidas, a golden retriever with the Canine Assistants program, as they take a break from studying for final exams at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Sarah Kate Schoen (right), Emma White and Khorkie Tyus pet Adidas, a golden retriever with the Canine Assistants program, as they take a break from studying for final exams at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Elizabeth Seraten (left), Khorkie Tyus, Emma White and Sarah Kate Schoen pet Adidas, a golden retriever with the Canine Assistants program, as they take a break from studying for final exams at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Elizabeth Seraten (left), Khorkie Tyus, Emma White and Sarah Kate Schoen pet Adidas, a golden retriever with the Canine Assistants program, as they take a break from studying for final exams at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Emma White (center) plays with Adidas, a golden retriever with the Canine Assistants program, as she and other students take a break from studying for final exams at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Emma White (center) plays with Adidas, a golden retriever with the Canine Assistants program, as she and other students take a break from studying for final exams at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Pirelli, a dog with the Canine Assistants program, gets attention from students as they take a break from studying for final exams at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Pirelli, a dog with the Canine Assistants program, gets attention from students as they take a break from studying for final exams at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Haley Plant (left) is licked in the face by Wonton, a golden-labradoodle with the Canine Assistants program, as she takes a break from studying for final exams at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Haley Plant (left) is licked in the face by Wonton, a golden-labradoodle with the Canine Assistants program, as she takes a break from studying for final exams at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Carter Basham (right) studies for final exams as other students take a break to play with dogs from the Canine Assistants program at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Carter Basham (right) studies for final exams as other students take a break to play with dogs from the Canine Assistants program at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Reilly McClain (center) pets Pirelli, a dog with the Canine Assistants program, as she takes a break from studying for final exams at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Reilly McClain (center) pets Pirelli, a dog with the Canine Assistants program, as she takes a break from studying for final exams at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Camryn Landis (right) reaches out to pet Pirelli, a dog with the Canine Assistants program, as she takes a break from studying for final exams at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Camryn Landis (right) reaches out to pet Pirelli, a dog with the Canine Assistants program, as she takes a break from studying for final exams at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Camryn Landis (right) pets Adidas, a golden retriever with the Canine Assistants program, as she takes a break from studying for final exams at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Camryn Landis (right) pets Adidas, a golden retriever with the Canine Assistants program, as she takes a break from studying for final exams at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Pirelli, a dog with the Canine Assistants program, gets attention from Adrianna Barry (left) and Camryn Landis as they take a break from studying for final exams at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Pirelli, a dog with the Canine Assistants program, gets attention from Adrianna Barry (left) and Camryn Landis as they take a break from studying for final exams at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Adidas (left) and Pirelli, two dogs with the Canine Assistants program, get attention from students as they take a break from studying for final exams at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Adidas (left) and Pirelli, two dogs with the Canine Assistants program, get attention from students as they take a break from studying for final exams at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Adrianna Barry (left), Sean Brock, Baylor Rainbow, Harrison DeLong and Camryn Landis take a break from studying for final exams to play with Adidas, a golden retriever with the Canine Assistants program, at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Adrianna Barry (left), Sean Brock, Baylor Rainbow, Harrison DeLong and Camryn Landis take a break from studying for final exams to play with Adidas, a golden retriever with the Canine Assistants program, at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2014.