The Pets Alive organization canceled
By Brianna Rodrigue
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
The Pets Alive organization canceled the Puppy Day that the Campus Activity Board organization had planned in the mall, but a brown and white-spotted mixed dog name Patches saved the day.
CAB had contacted the Pets Alive organization months before to plan Puppy Day but Pets Alive, an animal shelter where people can adopt a pet and volunteer, canceled the week before with no explanation of why they could not come, CAB President Daelyn Perez, communication sophomore, said.
CAB did contact SNIPSA, an organization to help homeless and unwanted pets to see if they could come, but they could not come on such short notice.
Since no puppies could make it to Puppy Day, Perez brought her dog Patches.
Patches was the only dog other than the two-legged mascot, Sparky the Firedog, from the San Antonio Fire Department that was brought by the SAC Regional Fire Academy.
Puppy Day was to help relieve the stress of students, Carrie Hernandez, senior student success specialist, said Sept 26.
This was the fourth year for Puppy Day.
Although it was Patches who took the show, it was a good turnout, Perez said.
Students were able to feed him treats, take pictures with him and play with him.
“Puppies are meant to help students with not stressing over their finals, studies and their job,” Perez said. “It gives them a chance to have fun and smile.”
Some students were disappointed because they were looking forward to relieving their stress during midterm week.
“I had a midterm today and I was really looking forward to Puppy Day because that was a way for me to decompress by playing with dogs,” said Tamara Carroll, American Sign Language interpreter freshman. “It was great seeing Patches. Any dog is great to interact with as long as they are friendly which Patches was super friendly and cute.”
Liberal arts sophomore Rachel Rodriguez said she was really excited because she loves all dogs but was disappointed.
“I was disappointed today, but I am glad Patches was here,” Rodriguez said. “If I can bring my dogs to school, I would be less stressed.”
Rodriguez said it would be a great idea to have dogs on campus during midterms and finals week.
According to Alamo Colleges procedures, only service animals are permitted on all areas on this college.
Non-service animals are permitted to the extent necessary for official purposes.
For more information about board polices, go to www.alamo.edu/district/policies/.