Dead week, the week before final exams, is notorious for causing
anxiety.

To help students deal with the workload, the Psychological
Counseling and Wellness Center hosted the De-Stress Fest Dec. 5-7
on the Glenn Hall lawn and at the Wildcat Recreation Center.

The biggest attraction of the De-Stress Fest was the puppies at
the WREC on Wednesday, said Shelby McClure, a sophomore psychology
major and special events intern with the Wellness Center. At least
100 people attended to crowd around the dogs, and students were
also able to make bracelets, drink tea and color at the event.

However, long lines discouraged people from playing with the
puppies provided by the Butte Humane Society.

The puppies seemed stressed, and it would have been better to
have more of them on rotation, said William Bradish, a
senior anthropology major. This year's De-Stress Fest

had the largest turnout ever, said Lori Wells, Butte Humane
Society's outreach and events coordinator.

"We can usually only manage to bring two puppies," Wells said.
"If I bring more they have to be in a crate and they can't be
played with." Some students, like Sarah Santich a freshman biology
major, thought about going to the WREC but decided against it, in
favor of studying for finals. "I thought puppies would cure my
biology- induced anxiety," she said. "Unfortunately, I didn't get
to see the puppies, because I let biology destroy my social life
instead."

Tuesday's session of the De-Stress Fest at the WREC included
20-minute acupuncture sessions that focused on the hands and feet,
Ross said.

The acupuncture sessions were provided by the Student Health
Center, Ross said. Students were required to sign up before
undergoing the acupuncture treatment.

The Health Education Action Team, a student- run organization,
was also present Saturday, handing out healthy snacks and vitamins,
Ross said.

Though the puppies were probably unprepared for the many
students who waited in line for them, feedback from students who
attended De-Stress Fest was positive, said Kendall Ross, program
coordinator of WREC sports

"I think overall, the event went very well," Ross said.

Stephanie Geske can be reached at

sgeske@theorion.com