ELLISVILLE –During finals week, the Student Government Association at Jones College created a stress-free zone and let students play with puppies. About a dozen rescue puppies were loved on and petted while the stress of studying for finals vanished.
“This helps calm me down. It relaxes me. This is one of the things I’ll miss most when I graduate,” said Erin Walters, a sophomore from Laurel majoring in dental hygiene.
College Algebra is Desiree’ Moran’s biggest stressor. The George County 
freshman hopes to be an athletic trainer and said math is not her best subject. While sophomore agriculture communications major, Paige Fairley had a different reason for coming to play with the puppies.
“I just love animals! That’s why I’m here.”
Some of the volunteers “working” the “Puppies on the Patio” event admitted they knew this job wouldn’t be too “ruff” like SGA volunteer, Faith Houston from Laurel.
“I knew this would be a lot of fun because I have dogs. When I’m studying for hours, my brain locks up and I need something to help me relax before I’m able to get back to the books.”
It’s not just the students who benefit from the puppy loving time at Jones College. The interaction with students serves a purpose, said independent animal rescuer, Murray Windham.
“Some of these puppies need an extra boost of confidence or socialization 
with humans before we can send them off for adoption. Foster families provide a lot of support but interacting with others provides some extra support for the puppies,” said Windham.
All of the puppies were adopted with the help of local animal shelters and animal medical facilities. Windham said she hopes to have more puppies ready for students to play with before finals in May.