Students passing through the halls of the library may have heard a bark or two in the past couple of days. No, the over studying isn’t making students mad. Some fluffy friends have taken up residence in the upper rotunda of the library.

Iowa State provides a multitude of resources for finals prep and academic help. Most of the time, this comes in the form of tutoring, supplemental instruction sessions and writing workshops. However, they also provide a slightly slobbier form of help. Specifically, Barks@Parks.

Barks@Parks is a daily event where students can take a break from studying to play with dogs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tueaday, Thursday and 1 to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday during Dead Week.

Studies have found that having an animal around you can not only make you feel less stressed, but can also lower your heart rate and blood pressure. When put under stress, or put in stressful situations, those who are exposed to animals on a regular basis handle that stress better than those who aren’t. Many consider finals to be one of these stressful situations.

Pets have also been proven to lower anxiety and depression, both are found more often in college students around dead week and finals. It is shown that playing with a dog or cat can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax the mind. There are many students who need that little bit of relaxation this finals season.

Iowa State does not let most animals into dorms and apartments, with the exception of emotional support animals and service animals. Pets are not allowed in university-owned living spaces, however, fish are allowed. There are many students at Iowa State that have spent most of their lives with a pet to greet them when they came home every day. It could be difficult to adjust to not being around an animal while being in the dorms or university owned apartments.

If this week has become a monster, and does not allow for time to play with dogs at Parks, there are always students who have found a way to bring their animal to school. Befriending them will not only provide a friend but will also allow you access to their furry friend. There are also local shelters in Ames that might just let you volunteer or socialize their animals.

For those of us who don’t live within a small driving distance away, it can be hard to leave your pet at home and be without a pet for a full-school year.

Even taking a half hour to play with dogs at the library can make this finals season that much better.

Editor’s note: This editorial has been updated to reflect the accurate Barks@Parks time. It also has been updated to reflect that students are allowed to have fish as pets in university-owned living spaces.