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Archive 2024
Fresher Fest Highlights: A Day of Community, Connection, and Canine Companions at UCC
The MCC dogs, along with UCC handlers and UCC buddy handlers with two MCC puppies were about to greet everyone.
Fresher Fest at UCC took place on Saturday, 14th September featuring over 100 societies enthusiastically promoting their clubs and events. The School of Nursing & Midwifery were welcoming students and introducing the PAWS programme (Promoting Academic Wellbeing and Support). The MCC dogs, along with UCC handlers and UCC buddy handlers and 2 MCC puppies were about to greet everyone. Over the past year, the MCC dogs have developed a strong sense of university pride and connected with many staff and students as part of MCC PAWS @ UCC. One buddy student from Occupational Sciences, IIona Grogan, summed up the day with her words.
‘We had the most amazing Saturday, meeting first year and returning students, families and friends, staff and passersby. We all joined in the cuddles and play with puppies and therapy dogs, sprinkled generously by treats for all. It was so much easier to make new friends while we shared stories of our beloved pets and opened up about the little nervousness and lots of excitement, we all feel about being on Campus. Some students joined us for a little while, some of the students and staff stayed a little longer – but we all relished those pawsome moments of unconditional doggy love and affection. We could see the smiling faces and waggy tails all round. In the relaxed atmosphere we were talking about ways our four-legged heroes support us; how even a brief interaction can lower anxiety and boost our feel-good hormones production.
We all see it as a way for us to bridge the gap between home and college life, meet likeminded people and make meaningful friendships. Students and parents were all delighted to hear that our furry friends will be visiting us weekly in the Boole Library-Paws and Pages, while MCC dogs matched with UCC staff can be found in various parts of the campus on a daily basis.’
Follow us on Instagram for more furry fun! @mccpawucc