It’s two weeks into the semester and students are feeling the stress. To break away from campus, students head to the Humane Society of Wichita County to volunteer.

Students including Camille Blanton, special education sophomore, find comfort in volunteering and getting to play with the animals, often relieving stress, and putting a smile on their face.

Blanton said, “Being able to come out here in my free time is something I enjoy… Just knowing I’m able to give these animals a little bit more love makes me happy.”

There are students coming and going through out the week. Blanton encourages more students to go and play with the animals.

“You don’t have to stay all day, but once you’re here you will not want to leave.” Blanton said.

Some students go frequently. Emily Anderson nursing junior is one of these people.

“I try to go once a week, it definitely gives me a break from classes. It’s a huge stress reliever to play with these animals,” Anderson said. “Making them happy, makes me happy and forget about the stress of assignments and tests.”

With more than 60 dogs and 25 cats, students don’t need to worry about coming at a bad time. Ally Scruggs, adoption staff secretary, said she welcomes everyone.

“We always have things for volunteers to do like walking the dogs and playing with the cats,” Scruggs said. “Saturday is our biggest volunteer day but we could always use more people during the weekdays, since adoption rates have gone down we have been pretty full.”

Scruggs also wants people to know that there is a lot of joy that comes from working with these animals.

“I love being around the animals,” Scruggs said. “Many people ask me how I work here and just see them sit in the cages, but the best part is seeing them go to a home. You also grow bounds with them and you look forward to coming in to see them.”

Since 1963, the Humane Society’s goal has been been to make sure no animal goes without shelter or love. They get most of their animals come off of euthanasia lists from other shelters around the area.

“Our primary mission at the Humane Society of Wichita County, is to take homeless, sick or unwanted animals, and make them happy, healthy and adoptable pets,” Scruggs said.