Four pugs zoom around the courtyard at the University Religious Center, ready for treats and love from students. This is the Hug-a-pug program, which offers students relief from their busy schedules.
Event organizer Robin Mitchell Stroud works for the office of religious and spiritual life said the canines are all within the Trojan Family. And that’s what actually inspired the program.
“So two of the pugs are mine, so and I work here, and then the other two pugs are, our Senior Associate Deans, pugs. And so we were like, Let’s just make it in monthly event where we just bring our pugs up and let them get loved up on by everybody, and let everybody feel their love,” said Stroud.
“Then some people have pugs, and they just want to come and like, you know, experience their pugs away from home. But some people have never met them, and they’re kind of intriguing little dogs,” Stroud added.
The pugs give students a much needed break from studying, says Drish Kumar, a grad student studying computer science.
“I just finished studying. I woke up by like, what, seven, and then, you know, it gives me the solace, kind of calm moment where you just sit with the dogs and you just, you’re just like yourself. It just takes everything out of your head,” said Kumar.
Sally Kim, a sophomore studying public relations and advertising said she had a similar experience to Drish: “I just like, took a test this morning, and I was so stressed for it, but now it’s all gone.”
Kim said the pugs are also helping with her homesickness.
“I used to have a dog at home. I don’t live with my family right now, so I don’t have any pets. So this has been a great help, because I love animals and dogs,” she said.
Dhruv Jain, a Finance Graduate Student, says the pugs bring a much-needed dose of energy into his life: “I love the pugs. I love dogs. And playing with pugs was awesome because they’re very, very cheerful and very energetic.”
If you’d like to hug a pug, the puppies will be in the University Religious Center courtyard next on October 31st, and November 21st, between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.