Go into any university library at exam time and you’re sure to be greeted by a room of dogs—whether it’s therapy dogs or students in downward dog. These time-tested classics of furry friends and yoga are mainstays on campuses across North America to help students cope with the stress of final papers and exams.

The Vaughan Memorial Library at Acadia offers all the classic wellness staples (who amongst us hasn’t snuggled into therapy dog Guinness in the face of a 3-hour final?). This year, the library hosted weekly therapy dog visits, yoga classes, board game nights, knitting workshops, and guided music listening sessions. And any time the library is open, students can take a study break at the colouring table or plug a few pieces into the jigsaw puzzle on the go.

But we also bring our students something a little different.

For the past three years, beloved local snake wrangler, Pete of For Pete’s Snakes has brought his finest complement of slithery friends to soothe students’ stresses.

Making Headlines

This year, after CBC visited campus to tell the story of how Acadia students are dealing with stress by cuddling up with snakes, things took an unexpected turn.
What began as a quirky local interest piece quickly took off. First, CBC’s The National picked up the story. Next, news stations south of the border got wind of the story.

Before long, the story had run nearly 300 times across news channels spanning from Anchorage, Alaska to Jacksonville, Florida, and everywhere in between.

Britanie Wentzell, the academic librarian who initially proposed bringing snakes in, is shocked and delighted by the attention the event has brought to the library and Pete’s snakes

“I wasn't even sure my de-stress event idea about bringing snakes into the Library would be approved when I first suggested it, let alone become such a shared news story!”

“I think it is garnering so much attention because it is not a typical type of exam de-stress event. Normally you have much more cuddly animals like dogs and bunnies. Therefore, to see something many people fear become such a popular way to relax during exams, makes this quite the weird and wonderful story!”

Facing fears and gaining new confidence

The snakes offer students more than a just cool experience to check off. Mike Beazley (academic librarian) says that the snakes give students a chance to confront fears in a safe environment and build some much-needed confidence before exams.

While most of the students who attend these snake visits aren’t afraid at all, Mike reflects that the most interesting visitors are the students who are afraid of the snakes but come in to spend time with them anyway.

“They use the event as an opportunity to confront their fear in a safe, controlled environment. Facing our fears brings its own kind of relief, not to mention a sense of confidence.”

“And that confidence might be just what someone needs to get through a tough exam.”