Wilson Counseling Center, in partnership with Volunteer A-State and Jonesboro Animal Control, invited Arkansas State University students to start their day with free pancakes and puppy cuddles.

The event was designed to lift spirits, encourage students to grab breakfast and experience the joy of petting puppies, all while highlighting mental health resources on campus. 

Carnesha Ben, a student life counselor from the Wilson Counseling Center, said the staff meets each summer to brainstorm mental health initiatives for students. 

“We came up with the idea of Pet-a-Pup, collaborating with animal control because we know that there are so many puppies that need loving and what better way to expose them to that love by bringing them on campus,” Ben said. 

She said mental health can feel daunting for students, so she values events like Pancakes and Puppies to show seeking help doesn’t have to be intimidating. 

“There is a way to navigate it, to get help and also to expose them to these services,” Ben said. “So, yes, we have the puppies out, but they also have the opportunity to see the counselors, to get to know the Wilson Counseling Center a little better and know that we are here to support them in the best way possible.”

Jonesboro Animal Control brought two puppies (Trish and Derry) and an adult dog (Worm) to campus to spread awareness about pet adoption. 

Traci Troutman, from Jonesboro Animal Control, said the campus visits help spread the word about the importance of adopting sheltered animals. 

“It is very important to adopt and give these guys a second chance,” Troutman said. “We don’t know where they come from, what they’ve been through, but we believe that they all deserve a loving home, so it’s very important for us to get out and share what we do and see if we can help find these guys at home.”

Volunteer A-State supported the event as part of its mission to address hunger and food insecurity. 

Allison Webber, a sophomore nursing major from Highland, Arkansas, serves as the director of food recovery for Volunteer A-State. She said the organization is always conducting events to spread awareness on hunger and food insecurity, so teaming up with the Wilson Counseling Center for a mental health and pet adoption event during Mental Health Week at A-State was a natural fit.  

“We wanted to kind of incorporate that with free pancakes and we talked to the humane society to get the puppies out, and so this is just kind of a chance for you to come and take a break,” Webber said. “The pancakes are free, so you don’t have to worry about paying money because that’s just as mentally stressing as anything else. So grab a pancake, pet a puppy!”

Webber said college can be overwhelming and stressful, so making initiatives like Pancakes and Puppies is essential, especially when it comes to encouraging students to make the steps to seeking help. 

Jordan Dodd, a first-year nursing major from Sherwood, Arkansas, said seeing the puppies outside the Reng Student Union caught her attention after leaving her Making Connections class, when her instructor didn’t show. 

Dodd said she appreciates A-State’s effort to promote mental health awareness because everyone needs help sometimes and it’s important to have someone to talk to, especially as a college student.

“I know it’s nice for me, getting to talk to someone I trust and know when I’m struggling,” Dodd said. “So things like this are great, because puppies are therapeutic, and people can come over, pet the dogs, but also learn a little bit.” 

Categories: Life