Attending college can be a little overwhelming for many young adults. College students across the United States, including those attending Bloomsburg University, regularly face challenges, uncertainty, and change. Conflicts with roommates, having to meet course demands, missing family and friends at home, and developing new relationships are just a few of the dynamics of college that can cause a lot of stress in a person's daily life. Therefore, it is essential as area coordinators and community assistants, working with the Office of Residence Life, to help students find ways to deal with stress effectively before it reaches an unhealthy level and prevents any individual from thriving at this university. Routine visits by canine therapy dogs at Bloomsburg University could be a fun way to lift students' spirits and allow them to relax during tense times. Sometimes, stress can push students to drink, take illegal drugs, use tobacco, or develop harmful diseases. eating habits. These destructive behaviors can intensify the stress an individual is experiencing negatively affecting their mood and overall health. Freshmen who reside on campus may be exposed to the most stress due to the loss of the support systems they depended on at home. Additionally, like most college students, they will struggle with high levels of stress and anxiety as they attempt to achieve academic success. According to data collected by the American College Health Association and reported in the Spring 2013 College Health Assessment, 84% of students surveyed said they “felt overwhelmed by everything they had to do” (American College Health Association). Obviously, underline...... middle of paper...... April 7, 2014. pdf file.DORIE TURNER - AP Education, Writer. “Colleges go to dogs to fight stress.” US News Online (2012): Viewpoint Reference Center. Network. April 8, 2014.Hughes, Matt. “Puppy love for stressed students.” Bucknell University. Bucknell University, 2014. Web. April 4, 2014. Richter, Bryce. Bella brings smiles to students' faces. May 6, 2010. Recent Sightings: Pet Therapy-News at UW-Madison. Network. April 12, 2014. Photography.Richter, Bryce. The stamp relieves stress for students. May 6, 2010. Recent Sightings: Pet Therapy-News at UW-Madison. Network. 12 April 2014. Photography.Rodarmel, Matteo. Telephone interview. April 5, 2014. Shiloh, Shoshana, Gal Sorek, and Joseph Terkel. "Reduction of state anxiety by petting animals in a controlled laboratory experiment." Anxiety, Stress and Coping 16.4 (2003): 387-395. SPORTDiscus with full text. Network. April 3. 2014.