On March 13th, 2025, Students at the College of the Sequoias’ Visalia campus enjoyed a delightful break from their mid-term stress, thanks to a special event organized on campus. The Mid-Term De-Stress event, held in the central courtyard, featured a variety of activities aimed at helping students unwind, with the highlight being a visit from two adorable therapy dogs.

From 10 AM to 2 PM, students gathered to interact with Baymax, a lovable Labradoodle, and Oscar, a friendly Black Lab. These therapy dogs provided much-needed comfort and joy to the students, who were thrilled to take a break from their studies.

“It’s amazing how much a few minutes with these dogs can change your mood,” said sophomore Jessica Martinez. “I was stressed about my exams, but playing with Baymax and Oscar made me feel so much better.”

In addition to the therapy dogs, the event also featured other stress-relief activities such as guided meditation sessions, free snacks, and a relaxation zone with bean bags and soothing music. Students also had the chance to create their stress kits, which included snacks, hot chocolate, coffee, brownies, candles, candies, and jelly toys.

With that organizers reported a high turnout and positive feedback from participants, many of whom expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to take a mental health break during the busy mid-term period. The success of the Mid-Term De-Stress event highlights the importance of mental health initiatives on campus. As exams continue, students can look forward to more events like this that not only help them manage stress and maintain their well-being, but also ultimately assist them in excelling on their upcoming exams.