College of the Desert Basic Needs Center and Loving All Animals host pet and wellness event on campus
PALM DESERT—The College of the Desert (COD) Basic Needs Center is collaborating with Loving All Animals to host the Caring Paws and Whiskers Resource Fair on Thursday, March 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Palm Campus Main Amphitheater Desert. The goal of the fair is to provide students with information about pet ownership and mental health wellness.
“Studies have shown that pets can reduce stress and improve individuals’ lives,” said Keith Winters, College of the Desert student, College Corps Fellow and student organizer of the event. “We are excited to partner with Loving All Animals to provide our students with information about fostering and adopting pets, the benefits of owning a pet, and the importance of taking care of your mental health .”
At the event, attendees can enjoy free pet food, free ID cards and free drinks. A puppy petting coral will also be installed so students can relax and play with the puppies. The Caring Paws and Whiskers Resource Fair will highlight the following topics: veteran emotional support pets; student health services; mental health and wellbeing advice; becoming a foster pet parent; pet adoption and pet care and safety.
“This event will also provide students with a way to decompress, spend time with puppies and learn about how pets can contribute to your well-being,” Winters said.
COD Basic Needs Center is a resource for students and provides services aimed at addressing food insecurity, housing and wellness.
Loving All Animals is a local organization that aims to provide well-being. Their mission is to ensure that all of their cats and dogs are properly placed in loving and caring foster/permanent homes, while keeping the well-being of their animals as a priority.
For more information about the Caring Paws and Whiskers Resource Fair, please email basicneeds@collegeofthedesert.edu or call the manager, Jocelyn Vargas, at 760-773-2508. More information about Loving All Animals is available at LovingAllAnimals.org.
Image sources
- Dog at the pet show: Pexels
- Kittens at the pet show: Pexels
- Kitten: Pexels