Hundreds of students lined up on Stafford Commons Tuesday afternoon to spend time in a pen with 15 puppies at the first-ever Puppy Palooza event sponsored by Pawfect Match Rescue Shelter along with Chi Omega Sorority and Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. 

Any student passing had the opportunity to be showered in puppy love for $3—a deal hundreds of students couldn’t pass up. The groups ended up raising $1,159 for the shelter throughout the course of the day. Students were also encouraged to bring toys and dog food to donate to the shelter’s supply.

According to spectators, the highlight of the day was the ongoing battle between the German shepherd and black lab puppies that were fighting for supremacy on Talley Turf by jumping on each other’s backs and gently biting each other’s noses.

Nadia Drabick, a junior studying polymer and color chemistry and the Community Chair for Chi Omega at NC State helped organize the philanthropic event along with Chris Bentley, a senior in Phi Gamma Delta studying business. 

“Generally people don’t choose to go toward shelter dogs,” Drabick said. “We’re raising awareness that these dogs do need help.” 

Drabick said most of the dogs don’t get much playtime, so while students love destressing with puppies, the socialization also benefits the dogs. 

“It’s nice to have a big crowd of people playing with these dogs,” Drabick said. “It’s helpful both ways, benefitting us and Pawfect Match.”

Chi Omega and Phi Gamma Delta plan to work with Pawfect Match Rescue again next semester to hold another Puppy Palooza.

To view the photo gallery for this event, visit:

http://www.technicianonline.com/gallery/collection_ff6a1fd0-779c-11e5-9da9-6b9363e92561.html