This paper examined the effect of therapy dog intervention in reducing self-reported stress levels among college students. The sample comprised 22 students at Arizona State University, predominantly honors students from Barrett, The Honors College. Participants were randomly assigned to interact with either Beau, a golden retriever, or Charlie, a black lab for 30 minutes. Participants completed pre- and post-test stress surveys adapted from the Perceived Stress Scale (Roberti et. al., 2000). Data analysis revealed a significant decrease in stress levels post-therapy dog intervention, with an average reduction of 41.42%. These findings suggest that therapy dog interventions hold promise as a stress reduction strategy for college students, especially honors college students. Despite limitations such as small sample size, gender imbalance, and the use of group averages, the information this study provides may provide insight into the direction of future research. Future research with larger sample sizes, individualized assessments, and sample sizes consisting of only honors students is warranted to explore this causality.

There is an etiquette for most areas in life–bathroom etiquette, restaurant and dining etiquette, in person/virtual meeting etiquette, business etiquette, the list goes on and on. Social etiquette is also a part of that category and is one of the most important etiquettes as it informs an individual about the norms and behavior that society considers acceptable. There is research that has been done on social etiquette. There have been studies done, books written, and different interpretations of the definition for it. Despite this topic being increasingly relevant, relatable and modern transferable skills are not always conveyed in current research and self improvement books— given its emphasis on interviews, email structure, and “how to carry yourself”. While these tips are important as well, we would like shift the focus toward simplifying the interactions that should be common knowledge but sometimes turns out not to be given the exceedingly diverse cultural landscape of the college population. Here we touch on the broad topic of social etiquette for college students in a book sharing communicative experiences, displaying real life college student input, and providing advice to avoid or successfully handle social conflict. Students coming together from different places both domestically and internationally means concentrating a copious amount of diversity within the campus(es) bounds. Connecting students from all over means everyone has grown up with different guardianships, boundaries and living situations. This unique melting pot or “Campus Kaleidoscope” means that everyone has developed different ways to communicate with others. This attracts a lot of opportunities for unsuccessful and/or successful communicative experiences. Our goal is to combine social etiquette and the college student setting into a short (5-chapter), digestible (common language) book for the college community using an attention grabbing approach (including memes, comic scenarios, and asking questions) as the current state media is fast-paced and revolves on convenience. In addition, allowing readers to look deeper into the importance of self-awareness and significance in catering properly to different people with various boundaries. Lastly, providing solutions to facilitate the process of communication among heterogeneous individuals.

The use of genetic management in conservation has sparked much debate around the ethical and environmental impacts of the plans. A case study on the conservation of leopard frogs in Arizona was analyzed to better understand the benefits and issues surrounding genetic management plans. The first part of the case focuses on the recent management plan for Chiricahua Leopard Frogs implemented by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The goal of the plan is to better understand the genetic dynamics of the established Chiricahua Leopard Frog populations to develop a more effective management plan. The second part of the case focuses on the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s management of the Northern Leopard Frog. There was little success with the initial breed and release program of the native species, however a nonnative subspecies of Northern Leopard Frog was able to establish a thriving population. This case study exemplifies the many complications with genetic management plans and the importance of careful assessment of options when deciding on a genetic management plan. Despite the complexity of genetic management plans, it is an important method to consider when discussing the conservation of a species.

Prerequisite courses are classes taken by individuals during their undergraduate career. For the majority, prerequisite courses lay a foundation for future classes that could either expand on the topics already covered or go into further detail (Sato, et al. 2017). More specifically, individuals who are interested in pursuing a career as a veterinarian are required to take certain prerequisites before applying to veterinary school. These prerequisites include General Chemistry, General Biology, General Physics, Microbiology, Genetics, Animal Physiology, Calculus, Organic Chemistry, English, Biochemistry, and Statistics (VMCAS). Looking in more detail, two groups of veterinarians, those who specialize and those who do not, will further exhibit the importance of these courses in their daily practice. Through a series of survey questions as well as application problems pertaining to these prerequisite courses, it was revealed that 43% of all participants could not answer basic concept questions correctly. On the other hand, many participants still believed several courses should continue to be a prerequisite because of the knowledge they need in veterinary school as well as in their careers. Furthermore, there appears to be no association between specialty and daily use of prerequisite courses.

With the projected growth of virtual reality and other immersive technologies in the next decade, there is a natural promise of innovations in the field to compete with the growing market. One such potential innovation, brain-computer integration (BCI), has the potential to link user's brains with the virtual worlds they wish to participate in and use their mind as the controller. When looking at science fiction media such as Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, Aniara, and Cyberpunk 2077 though, the overuse of BCI technology is alarmingly dangerous due to its escapist draw. By analyzing Sheila Jasanoff's existing technological risk mitigation framework through the lens of escapism and BCI, a formal plan can be generated to better combat the potential dystopian future immersive technologies can cause as presented by science-fiction.

A rise in what veterinary professionals refer to as ‘BEG’ diets, or boutique, grain free, and exotic diets, have veterinarians and nutritionists concerned about how many of these diets are actually backed in scientific research, and how they may affect the overall health of companion animals. Due to the exponential rise in media claims and marketing of BEG diets, recalls of different diets manufactured by major companion animal diet companies, and a growing awareness of the role that diet plays in the health of companion animals, owners have been drawn to BEG diets more so than before. There is significant concern regarding the companion animal diet industry due to the lack of a regulatory or governing agency that oversees manufacturing and production, and the lack of legal definitions of terms often used in marketing, such as ‘natural’, ‘organic’, and ‘human grade’. However, the link between diet and heart disease, specifically dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), has become a primary concern of veterinary professionals and owners alike. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a statement stating that by September 2020, over 1,100 cases of DCM had been reported in canines, prompting ongoing research into the possible correlation between diets with high volumes of legumes, lentils, pulses, and potatoes, characteristic of grain free diets, and the development of significant heart disease.