University of Hong Kong students experiencing stress during the examination season can now head to the law library to chill out with the school’s newest resident – Jasper.
Jasper is a nine-year-old English Sheepdog adopted from Hong Kong Dog Rescue. He is the university’s therapy dog, introduced as part of a new pilot programme. Jasper will be available for 30-minutes sessions at the library at University of Hong Kong on December 11, 13 and 15 – the peak of exam season.
The university hopes that Jasper will be able to “help current HKU students experience a better academic life.”
“It is well documented that therapy dogs can contribute to calmness and overall emotional well-being,” said the university.
Although such programmes are common in universities around the world, Jasper is the first therapy dog in a Hong Kong school.
“We are absolutely delighted to have our own ‘resident’ therapy dog whom we can rely on as a therapeutic mascot to foster student engagement,” said University Librarian Peter Sidorko.
