Exam stress getting to you? Meet Jasper, the HKU therapy dog
Students at the university will be able to book 30-minute sessions with nine-year-old English Sheepdog next month
As the examination season looms, students at the University of Hong Kong can look forward to relieving their stress and relaxing with the institution’s first in-house therapy dog, Jasper, next month.
Under a new pilot programme, students and staff at the university will be able to book a 30-minute session to play with the nine-year-old English Sheepdog and enjoy its company.
The available slots are on December 11, 13, and 15 at 9.30am, 1.30pm, and 2.30pm in the Lui Che Woo Law Library in the Centennial Campus of HKU in Sai Ying Pun.
While some universities in the city offer one-off therapy sessions in collaboration with other organisations, HKU’s pilot programme is unique as it is the first among Hong Kong universities to have the furry friend being a member of the institution.
University librarian Peter Sidorko said: “We are absolutely delighted to have our own ‘resident’ therapy dog whom we can rely on as a therapeutic mascot to foster student engagement.”