ST HILDA’S Year 12 students were surprised with puppies on Monday as a way to de-stress after their exams.
The project, called Curtin PUPs, is a partnership between SAFE Perth and Curtin University, where rescue puppies are used to help relax students during a stressful period of their lives.
St Hilda’s director of communications and engagement Megan Crust said it was the first time Curtin had run the program and believed it had been very successful for the school’s students.
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READ NOW“It’s quite a full-on year for the students and it can create a lot of stress, especially around exam time,” she said.
“The students love animals and we thought it would be something fun and light we could do, which would help them relax after their exams.”
She said the program was also used as a relationship-building exercise for students and the University.
Curtin University marketer Bex Logan said many students suffered stress during their final year, with added pressure from schools and families to succeed.
“We want to help students who are high performing, but are under a lot or pressure,” she said.
SAFE Perth committee member Corrina Conduit said the goal was to raise awareness for people to consider rescue.
“We hope this program, as well as helping students, will encourage people to rescue,” she said.
“And who wouldn’t get happy and relaxed when you see a puppy.”