Welcome Week holds Puppies on the Patio

Students interact with puppies from TARP, Alex Ford photos

Students took a break from the first week of classes last week when puppies from the Troy Animal Rescue Project (TARP) visited campus as part of Welcome Week.

TARP Director Tiffany Howington said the organization brings puppies to the university each semester to give students an opportunity to step away from studying and de-stress.

“Puppies are great for that because they love to be loved on and cuddled, and it’s just great for the students to come out,” Howington said.

The interaction also benefits the puppies. Howington said spending time around students helps the animals develop socialization skills before adoption.

The four puppies brought to campus were from the same litter and are rat terrier-dachshund mixes. Howington said all four are available for adoption through TARP.

For freshman secondary education major Hayden Hiatt, spending time with the puppies offered a break after leaving class and an opportunity to participate in one of his first Welcome Week events.

“I really like animals a lot, so it’s really fun, especially since I just got out of class,” Hiatt said. “It’s nice to be outside.”

Tracy Moore, a freshman biology major from Prattville, Alabama, said the puppies also gave her something to look forward to after class.

“I have enjoyed the events around campus so far and, as a biology major, I absolutely love animals,” Moore said.

Moore said she hopes to see more events like Puppies on the Patio held on campus in the future.

Students interested in spending more time with the animals can also get involved with TARP outside of campus events. Howington said students are welcome to volunteer at the rescue center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

TARP also offers a Doggy Day Out program, which allows college students to check out a dog in the morning and spend the day with it before returning it that evening. Students can take the dogs to places such as a park, their home or other pet-friendly locations.

“It gives our dogs a little vacation from the kennels,” Howington said.

Students interested in volunteering, adopting or learning more about TARP can find the organization on Facebook and Instagram under Troy Animal Rescue Project.