On March 19, Instagram account @dogsofwsuv posted their first photo. Since then, the account’s focus is posting photos of dogs that are walking on campus with a brief description of the dogs in the picture.
Kay Hall, a junior history major, is the face behind the account. Hall explained that she saw dogs being walked on campus and appreciated the effect it provided. “I thought it would be a great idea to draw attention to how nice the campus is and how wonderful it is that the community participates in the campus life,” Hall said.
When Hall started the account in March 2019, she recalls putting off studying for midterms for it. “I’m always happy to take a five minute break from whatever I’m doing to run across campus to find a new person and pet a new dog,” Hall said.
Interactions between Hall and dog owners can be quick, while some may turn into meaningful interactions. Hall described a conversation with a fellow student walking her dog on campus. “We had a really great conversation about being able to access the campus and the fact that it is such a nice place for students to be, especially when the weather is lovely,” Hall said.
Outside campus, Hall encourages further interaction with an installment she calls “Fan Feature Friday,” a day where the account takes photo submissions and posts the photograph giving credit to the taker.
“Either pictures they’ve taken on campus or pictures of their dogs in the wider world [are posted] so we get that interaction even when we’re not face to face on campus and I think that’s really cool to do,” Hall said.
“Taking that moment to see a dog … whether it’s here on campus or as you’re scrolling through your Instagram, probably not studying, it can give you a breather.”
-Kay Hall
According to Hall, the account’s main intention is to offer a break from the stress of the school year. “Taking that moment to see a dog … whether it’s here on campus or as you’re scrolling through your Instagram, probably not studying, it can give you a breather,” Hall said.
Veronica Holyk, a psychology major and senior, follows the page. Holyk enjoys the distraction of the account while taking breaks from homework. “I get both enjoyment and distraction. Seeing cute dog pictures is something that cheers me up if my day is stressful, and offers a nice homework break,” Holyk said.
Holyk said she enjoys the quirky feeling the account brings, and noticed that it is set apart from other school related accounts.
Visit the @dogsofwsuv Instagram page to check out the content discussed in this article.