CSU Hartshorn Health Center Hosts Day for Students’ Dogs to Raise Awareness of Effects of Secondhand Smoke on Pets

Colorado State University’s Hartshorn Health Service is hosting a health awareness and fun day for the dogs of CSU students from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29, at the lawn north of Hartshorn.

The seventh annual Stomp, Romp and Wag is packed full of fun events for pets and educational opportunities for students to learn about the effects of secondhand smoke on pets. The event also promotes environmentally-friendly practices – the green effect – for household pet owners and their pets. The day will include educational booths, contests, a dog spa, music and food, local vets conducting dental and ear checks, and educational materials on secondhand smoke and pets. One contest encourages students to guess the number of cigarette butts that were picked up on campus during a specific timeframe.

This year the event, which is limited to CSU students, will begin with a dog parade on campus called Tour de Tail to continue to bring additional awareness to the dangers of secondhand smoke on pets. Students and their dogs are invited to participate in Tour de Tail. No reservations are required, and the parade begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Lory Student Center Plaza. Participants are encouraged to dress their pets in fun costumes for the parade.

Of all age groups, people who are of college-age, between 18-24 years old, are the only population group in the United States with an increasing trend of tobacco use. Stomp, Romp and Wag looks at the negative effects of smoking by educating pet owners, smokers and non-smokers, of the dangers of pet exposure to secondhand smoke.

The event will now be implementing environment-friendly practices to encourage other aspects of health promotion. Those practices include; limiting waste, using organic products and disseminating helpful "greening" tips for pet owners and students. This year’s event will be a zero waste event.

Stomp, Romp and Wag fulfills the partial requirement of the Colorado Collegiate Tobacco Prevention Initiative grant.     

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