Amongst the chatter over which puppy to pet first, Wrangler lied nearly asleep in the arms of his handler, junior fashion merchandising major Julia Reading. Unlike the other puppies who were adoring every bit of attention, Wrangler viewed it as a perfect opportunity to nap.

Paws for a Cause hosted a Puppy Kissing Booth event at the Student Center Tuesday where students could pet and cuddle a dog for a $1 donation to the club.

Reading, who is vice president of the club and helped plan the event, said it was a good opportunity for the service dogs in training. The organization’s members train service dogs for children and veterans with disabilities.

“This is really good for the pups. One, because it does help them socialize with new people and even just around other dogs,” she said. “We do want to make sure they know how to behave around other dogs.”

The dogs were dressed in Valentine’s Day attire and posed for pictures with students.

Students got to hug and cuddle the dogs while their leashes were held by handlers such as sophomore Mackenzie Savage.

Savage is a secondary handler for the dog Eerie. She said she was impressed by the turnout at the event.

“I have heard multiple people say it’s a serotonin boost or that they need it today especially being Valentine’s,” Savage said.

Like many other members of the organization, Savage joined the club because she missed her four dogs back at home.

Freshman Madison Paolette, while playing with a service dog in training named Alice, echoed the statement. Similarly to many others who attended, Paolette was missing the love from her canine at home.

“I’m very much a dog person,” she said. “It makes me especially happy because I am not one to own a dog here on campus so it’s nice to see them when I can.”

The money collected from the event will go toward the Paws for A Cause club, and club members plan on using it for more socialization events for the dogs, such as going to the zoo.

“A lot of the things that we do with the dogs is to get them socialized and used to anything that would happen to them in the future,” Reading said.

Adriana Gasiewski is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].

Gabby Jonas is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].