In a touching display of compassion, students from the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) took time out of their schedules to spread some love among shelter animals at the Charles County Humane Society on February 20. The group of kind-hearted students, including Marlon Charles, Alvin Abarca, Sienna Scott, and Kiley Tewell, were pictured sharing a moment of joy with Skye, an 11-month-old pup, highlighting their commitment to making a difference in the lives of these animals.
During their visit, the students engaged in various activities aimed at providing the animals with a sense of companionship and care. They walked adoptable dogs around the shelter’s vicinity, allowing these eager canines to explore and enjoy the fresh air. The dogs reveled in the attention and playtime, showcasing the mutual benefits of such interactions.
The CSM visitors also dedicated time to the shelter’s feline residents, playing with and petting the cats to help them become more accustomed to human contact. This initiative not only offered the students a chance to bond with the animals but also helped in preparing the pets for potential adoption by making them more sociable and friendly towards humans.
Reflecting on the visit, the students expressed the joy they received from their furry friends, emphasizing the reciprocal nature of their interactions. The visit was not only a gesture of kindness towards the animals but also an opportunity for the students to experience the therapeutic benefits of spending time with pets. Supporting this, a 2021 report by “Science Daily” highlighted that petting therapy dogs could significantly enhance stressed-out students’ cognitive abilities, such as thinking and planning skills, more effectively than traditional stress-management programs.
Kiley Tewell, the Secretary of the La Plata Campus Association, voiced hopes of making these visits a regular occurrence and even proposed the idea of bringing some animals to campus, further strengthening the bond between the students and the shelter animals.
This initiative is a testament to the compassion and community spirit fostered by CSM and its students. For those interested in learning more about student life, clubs, and organizations at CSM, including upcoming events that support causes such as animal welfare, more information can be found on the college’s website at https://www.csmd.edu/student-services/student-life/index.html.
The College of Southern Maryland’s initiative underscores the importance of community engagement and the positive impact such activities can have on both humans and animals alike. Through actions like these, CSM students are setting an example of empathy and kindness, demonstrating the significant difference a small group of individuals can make in their community.
