A much-needed break from exams and mid-semester lectures at came as a welcome surprise for Northwestern State University on Wednesday. Students got some quality time with shelter pets through Pi Kappa Phi’s annual philanthropic event, ‘The Puppy Experience.’

NSU’s original four-legged fundraiser support two worth causes: The Ability Experience and Natchitoches Hope for Paws.

March 14, 2018, students and faculty members made more than $160 in donations to The Ability Experience, Pi Kappa Phi’s philanthropy which serves people with disabilities, in exchange for a few minutes of quality time with the shelter’s rescue animals.

“We hope everyone enjoyed the day. Our dogs loved the extra attention,” the shelter posted on their Facebook page.

The event, now in its fourth year, also allowed Pi Kappa Phi members to engage their peers in a conversation about the vision of the philanthropy, “to create a community, one relationship at a time, where the abilities of all people are recognized and valued.”

‘The Puppy Experience’ has been such a memorable experience, several other student organizations have implemented the idea with great success.

You can learn more about The Ability Experience by visiting http://www.theabilityexperience.org or Natchitoches Hope For Paws by visiting: http://www.natchitocheshopeforpaws.org/