Even though it’s barely past noon, you’ve already had a couple classes and are feeling overwhelmed. You enter Carlson Library to print an assignment, and in one of the empty rooms off to the left, you see people clustered in groups. Then you catch a glimpse of something else – dogs! This event is Paws on Campus, held on Mondays once a month in the library from noon – 1 p.m. During this event, dogs or cats are brought in so that, after a quick check-in, students can pet and interact with them for a bit of stress relief.
In recent years, studies have shown the impressive ability of pets and animals to improve people’s mental health and have positive effects on well-being. Being present with animals has proven to lower stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness and blood pressure. In fact, according to Alex Zernechel, associate director for student involvement and fraternity and sorority life within the Office of Student Engagement, the event was started three years ago in partnership with a faculty member that had done research on therapy animals. Student interest has increased from there.
Last year Paws on Campus became recurring to match student interest. Now, “150 to 200 students come through the event each month,” Zernechel said. To support this event, the OSE connects with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs and the Toledo Humane Society to bring in dogs and kittens. Paws on Campus also serves as an educational and adoption opportunity. The Toledo Humane Society provides information on adoption, so that students could adopt the same animal they’re interacting with. The OSE has also partnered with Residence Life, the Recreation Center, Rocket Dining and the Counseling Center on campus to provide therapy dogs at other wellness activities.
At this event in particular, on Sept. 30, there were five dogs present of assorted colors, sizes and ages, all friendly and willing to socialize with visitors. Students seated themselves in circles, smiling, gently petting the dogs and talking to their owners. A few students took pictures and videos with the fluffy canines.
There was Henry the golden retriever, who enjoys the event as much as his owner does. Then there was Ginger, a light brown toy poodle, whose owner is retired and who also takes him to ProMedica Flower Hospital to visit patients. Another dog present was Axel, a German shepherd, who loves tennis balls and had a hard time sitting still. Then there was a Goldendoodle named Nimrod, whose owner is hoping to take him to visit children in sick wards soon to help them read. Lastly, there was a sweet black and white border collie and boxer mix named Angel.
Their owners, witnessing the benefit their pets bring to others, continue to come back again and again. This was the case for Cindy Kirby, assistant dean for Student Affairs in the College of Law. While she wasn’t able to participate on this particular day, she attends most of the Paws on Campus events with her dog, Fiona. Fiona is a white and red Irish setter she rescued from the Toledo animal shelter when Fiona was about four years old. Before participating in Paws on Campus, Fiona often came to work with Kirby at the College of Law. And before Kirby’s role at the university, Fiona worked as a therapy dog for her family law practice where she handled divorce cases, custody battles, etc.
“I saw a big difference when I first started bringing Fiona to the office, how much calmer and in control of their emotions my clients were,” Kirby said.
Not long after Kirby first adopted Fiona, they went through therapy dog training together and received certification from the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Fiona was already well-behaved and knew most of the commands — she was surrendered to the animal shelter because her previous family no longer had room for her. Kirby and Fiona were tested afterward, which involved visiting different places like nursing homes and hospitals to see how Fiona interacted with strangers.
“Part of the training is to make sure they have the right temperament … And she was great with that. She loves everyone,” Kirby said.
Now, Fiona interacts with plenty of students at the university. Kirby initially became involved with the Paws on Campus events because she knew how much law students loved having Fiona in the building, and it’s convenient being right on campus.
“I just like seeing how excited and happy the students are. Fiona loves it because she just loves the attention,” Kirby said.
Kirby also saw how Fiona helped reduce students’ negative feelings. “It’s very clear that Fiona helps the students calm down when they’re upset,” she said. “Lots of times, students will come here to my office just to sit on the floor and hug Fiona and pet her if they’re having a rough day,” Kirby said. “I’ll walk Fiona around the forum, which is the big open area in the law school, at lunchtime, and every so often, she’ll crawl into a student’s lap, unbidden. And later the student invariably will tell me that they were having a particularly bad day, and just having Fiona crawl into their lap made a huge difference.”
Zernechel observed a similar benefit among students who attend Paws on Campus. “I don’t see many students leave that room without a smile on their face or laughing with their friends as they’re in there.” He added, “I think students just like that ability to decompress from classes, even if it’s just 15 minutes in between classes that they’re able to pop into there, pet a dog and run to their next class. I do think that helps a lot with the stress levels of the semester. That’s why we always make sure we have one during the week before finals,” he said.
But what do students think? Speaking to a few who attended, they shared a major reason why they came was because they simply liked animals. One individual said she even cried during her last class because she missed her dog at home. When questioned if they felt better after attending, however, it was a resounding affirmative. “100%. Absolutely. Yes.”
If you’re interested in attending Paws on Campus, check out their upcoming dates on InvoNet!