Students walking across the “social quad” on the Troy University campus got a break from the stress and rigors of college classes with puppy playtime thanks to Troy Animal Rescue Project and the Student Alumni Association.

And as much as the students enjoyed taking a minute out of their busy school day to play with the cute pets, TARP Director Tiffany Howington said the playtime is just as important for the puppies.

“A lot of our dogs and puppies need socialization skills,” Howington said. “This is a chance for them to get out and get them around people.”

This is the third year that TARP and SAA have teamed up to bring the puppies to the campus, where they were available for walking, cuddling and adoption for students that couldn’t resist taking one home.

The rescue project brought out 10 dogs to the campus, but that is just a small portion of the dogs that are under TARP’s care right now, Howington said.

“We have 324 dogs, cats and other small animals at the program,” Howington said. “We have had an influx of puppies over the last few weeks; we thought it would be dwindling by now, but it’s like we’ve hit puppy season part two. We’ve brought in 40 animals in the past week.”

With the large number of animals requiring care, Howington said TARP has a couple of pressing needs.

“Right now our major needs are monetary donations toward vet care and puppy food,” Howington said. “We have around 90 puppies in our program. (Anyone) can always come volunteer at our rescue center too. We’re open daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and there is no appointment needed; you can just show up and we’ll put you to work somewhere.”

TARP is located at 34 County Road 2266 in Brundidge.