Allen Library study event to feature snacks, crafts, therapy dogs

Students+prepare+for+finals+at+a+past+Allen+Public+Library+study+night.+This+years+free+event+will+include+therapy+dogs.

Photo courtesy of Claudia Wayland

Students prepare for finals at a past Allen Public Library study night. This year’s free event will include therapy dogs.

Camdyn Rizzo, Special to The Red Ledger

With finals’ week coming up quickly, the Allen Public Library has put together an event to not only encourage studying, but also to help students destress and relax.

On Dec. 10-12, from 6:30-8:30 p.m, the library will be open to students to study, craft, eat snacks, and even wind down with the help of therapy dogs. The event is free and no registration is required to attend.

“We are hosting Teen Study Nights in the lead-up to Finals Week in hopes of providing a quiet and relaxing space for teens who want to study, but who might also need a little break,” event director Claudia Wayland said. “We want to provide an opportunity for teens to focus on their schoolwork, but have a little bit of fun and relaxation as well.”

While the library has hosted previous Teen Study Nights, the upcoming events are expected by Wayland to be bigger and better.

“The survey I created and distributed to our VolunTeens indicated a lot of interest in the program, so I’m hopeful that will translate to a good turnout in attendees,” Wayland said.

This is the first time the library will have therapy dogs for the particular event, and Wayland said she hopes it will help improve the turnout.

“I got the idea for including therapy dogs from seeing colleges and universities providing study night-type events during finals,” Wayland said. “[Students] overwhelmingly indicated an interest in the therapy dogs. Research has shown the benefits of pets on stress levels, so I believe that having the therapy dogs available for when our attendees need to take a minute and sit and pet a dog will help them relax amid the stress of studying for finals.”