Students are invited to take a break from the stress of upcoming finals Wednesday and join a group of friendly dogs during UW-Madison’s Counseling and Consultation Services’ annual Pet Therapy event.

Bob McGrath, director of counseling services at University Health Services, said employees of the counseling center will bring their dogs to Library Mall for students to pet and play with. About eight dogs will be on campus with their owners.

“It’s a nice stress reliever before students have got to focus on finals,” McGrath said.

“We’re also available to chat while people are petting the dogs.”

According to McGrath, petting dogs has been shown to relieve immediate stress. “It’s a mild one, but it’s a nice focus and relaxing process.”

There is no appointment necessary to attend Pet Therapy, and McGrath said the dogs love the attention.

McGrath said Counseling Services has sponsored the event for the past four or five years.

The dogs will be on campus from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday. Organizers are hoping for a “beautiful day” like Tuesday, he said, but plan to move the event to Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. in the event of rain or snow.