<div style="float: right; width: 33%; padding: 5px;"><img src="{staticroot}files/resources/puppies2016600px.jpg" alt="puppy picture" width="100%" />
<p>Nicholas Kapsimalis with Princess Rainy. See more <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/widenerlaw/albums/72157664023039214" target="_blank">pictures on FLICKR</a>.</p>
</div>
<p>Delaware Law students have found a unique way to relax from the demands of legal education.</p>
<p>The Student Bar Association recently presented Mental Health Week with a daily roster of activities ranging from chair massages to movies to a discount night at a trampoline park. But the most popular diversion involved a roomful of dogs.</p>
<p>Six pet-therapy dogs and their volunteer handlers from PAWS for People paid a two-hour visit to the Main Law Building just to spend time with the law students. Some students spent nearly the full two hours with the animals; others dropped in for a quick cuddle.</p>
<p>First-year student Nicholas Kapsimalis walked in wearing a suit and tie, with five minutes to spare before heading to his contracts class for an exam. He stole a visit with Princess Rainy, a Mi-Ki dog in a pink dress. A smile spilled across his face when he picked her up to a chorus of &ldquo;Awwws&rdquo; from his fellow students. He held the dog for a short time and posed for pictures.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Now I&rsquo;m ready to go,&rdquo; Kapsimalis said, leaving for his test.</p>
<p>The nonprofit PAWS for People provides therapeutic pet visits to groups or individuals in the community who can benefit from the affectionate, gentle interaction. The Student Bar Association began the program as part of Mental Health Week last year. It is popular, with 57 students signing in to spend time with the six dogs who gathered this year. Faculty and staff also attended.</p>
<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s different and dogs are wonderful,&rdquo; first-year student Randi Guzsaly said. &ldquo;I think part of it is the novelty.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Her classmate Matthew Sicheri said he would like to see the animals visit weekly instead of yearly. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m in heaven right now. This is perfect,&rdquo; he said.</p>
<p>The week of special events preceded the 2016 Mental Health Day, sponsored by the American Bar Association Law Student Division on March 28. Through it, the organization highlights the need to end stigma associated with mental illness.</p>