Therapy dogs here to help when life gets ruff

By Narine Verdiyan and Adeline Griffith
Contributors

Are you feeling overwhelmed by your classes? Does exam season make your anxiety skyrocket? Quell the stress by spending an afternoon with some friendly pups right here on campus.

Every second Monday of the month, the Bailey Library receives a visit from Therapaws of Michigan, a volunteer-run, non-profit, therapy dog program.

The program, which began in 1988, pays visits to schools, libraries, hospitals and other health care facilities. In an academic environment, such as WCC, the service provides students with a break from the pressure and demands of their schoolwork.

“I found that the response we receive is so positive, even for people who have a support network,” said Bobbi O’Hara, vice president of Therapaws of Michigan. “The dogs tend to provide a little bit of a stress relief in the moment where you’re trying to study for exams or finish up a project. It gives you that momentary breath. You’re able to recenter, recharge and move forward.”

Similar therapy dog programs have had a growing popularity on college campuses. A study conducted by the University of British Columbia revealed that after students spent time with therapy dogs in a drop-in session, they reported a significant stress decrease, as well as feeling happier and more energetic.

Dog therapy services have the best effects for students when used in short-term sessions during periods of heightened stress, which is why many colleges and universities offer such programs during exam weeks, the study reported.

Bobbie O’Hara has witnessed firsthand the benefits that therapy dogs can have as she visits people with her dog, Aayla.

“It was during exam time, and we were in a department where people could come in during study breaks,” said O’Hara. “This woman came over and sat with us. She was telling me how she didn’t have any pets at home because her parents didn’t allow her to. She was always taught that dogs were kind of dangerous.”

“She seemed to show a desire to learn more about Aayla and try to interact with her, but she was still nervous,” said O’Hara. “She sat there and we talked about anxieties and apprehension, while also getting her comfortable being in Aayla’s presence.”

“We started slow,” she said. “Aayla is a very energetic dog. She wanted to turn and smile and give kisses, but if you have someone who is a little nervous and has been taught that dogs are dangerous, toothy grins aren’t always a positive. She was content to sit there and let the student go at her own pace and get comfortable petting her.”

After about an hour and a half, the student became more comfortable, and even started laughing and joking with Aayla, O’Hara said. O’Hara said the student was really able to relax and benefit from the experience after that.

Besides school and hospital visits, the dogs also participate in a program called “Therapaws to READ,” which works to improve literacy in children by giving them the opportunity to read aloud to the dogs.

At Therapaws, dog and owner work together as a team, and any dog, except coyote or wolf hybrids, can become a therapy dog if they go through the proper training, including behavioral testing, basic obedience and assurance that they have a good sense of control. Additionally, all Therapaws of Michigan therapy dogs are required to become certified by the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.

To become certified, therapy dogs must learn to be comfortable with loud or unusual noises, due to the fact that they will often visit to hospitals and other facilities with loud medical equipment.

“They get tested on how comfortable they are in different environments and unique situations,” said O’Hara. “It’s more getting them familiar with different types of people, different ages, people with different types of assistive equipment.”

If you’re feeling stressed about finals, need to sit down and take a breather or just want to spend a full 30 minutes cuddling with a dog, Therapaw teams are available on campus in the Bailey Library, on the second Monday of every month from 12-2 p.m.

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