As the end of the fall semester creeps to its end, most students at California State University, Stanislaus (Stan State) will commonly be experiencing the stress of trying to do well in a heavily weighted final. 
There are countless methods of treating your stress. Some set an appointment with a  psychologist, like the one at Stan States Counseling office. Others  include:

• Color de-stress coloring book
• Exercise
• Meditation
• Listen to music
• Stay away from technology

One interesting, fun and comforting de-stressing activity involves animals with fur, Fur therapy. There are a couple of ways you can engage in this sort of activity, you might be doing it already without knowing. 
The first one involves acknowledging your own fur-children, or pets. Play for 30 minutes—- outside or inside—-and be mindful of your own surroundings and pets characteristics. Some pets will notice that you may be going through a rough time. 
Jamie George, a graduate student at Stan State, regards that both her dogs—-Paisley and Bo—may know when she is under a rough storm of stress,
“I definitely think my dogs know when I’m stressed out,” George said, “Paisley will tend to cuddle me more closely on my chest and rub her face on me more when I am as opposed to when I am not. She’s even licked my face after I’ve cried a few times. She will also return to sleeping on my chest when like she did when she was a puppy when I am stressed. She only does this now as an adult dog when I’m feeling that way.”
In a way animals, like Bo, may act a particular way as their owner is going through a difficult time,
“I think that Bo senses it, because he is more affectionate when I’m stressed and will sometimes cry when I’m stressing and lay on my lap like he’s saying ‘I get it – I love you.’ He’s generally not an affectionate dog, but when I’m upset or stressed he keeps his paws on me, rubbing on me and cuddles right next to my person,” George said.
Don’t have a paw pal? Fur therapy can also be found in places like the animal shelter. Friends of Animal Shelter is a place to seek a friend if you do not have one. The facility is a nonprofit organization that helps Turlock, CA control the population of animals in the city. 
In particular, dogs and cats, are not the only fur animals that can attend to your needs. Another way is traveling to the Zoo, such as the San Francisco and San Diego Zoo. Both zoos offer tours, features, and close up activities of both big and small—cute and cuddly looking— wild life animals. 
Surrounding yourself with fur creatures can also lead to a euphoric experience that you may need before or after finals. 
“If I was extremely stressed, then bombarded with cute kittens and puppies, I would be very gushy-feeling and happy. I would feel like love was over flowing as they all ran into my arms and made me feel loved,” Sarah Linbergh-Lews (junior, Music) said.
Some colleges have begun using Fur therapy, such as Eastern Michigan University, to help students cope with stress and rough times. Their findings have acknowledged studies that prove a single petting activity can benefit health in both psychological and social aspects.
There have been multiple studies that students experience academic stress that causes their cognitive function to perform unhealthily. According to the American Psychological Association article, Back to school: Dealing with academic stress, if students are experiencing stress—-especially during intense academic sessions—- their “working-memory” will perform less than their average ability to do so. 
A working-memory is your short term memory that what helps you manage the intake of information associated with your current tasks (i.e. taking an exam/ performing). The stressing moments can heavily result in academic consequences, especially when taking an exam.
If you find yourself under a lot of stress, try Fur Therapy. Sometimes you will need a close friend to talk, cuddle, or hug to calm your mind. Whether you need one now or after finals, be sure to try out this therapeutic activity with the nearest paw pal to you!