Have you been having a ruff time lately? In need of a little woof of encouragement? Well here’s a paw-some way to destress: Therapy Dog Thursdays!
Meet Cooper—a 3 ¾-year-old Rottweiler who enjoys belly rubs and ear scratches from people eager to show him affection. Alongside his owner Annie, Cooper loves spreading joy through the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program. He’s a good boy who’ll shower you with lots of love every Thursday from 1:30 pm to 3 pm at Irving Hall Room 106. You can find Cooper every other Thursday.
Participants are sure to fetch paw-sitive vibes from Therapy Dog Thursdays as they get the chance to engage with both Cooper and Annie. Petting, cuddling, and touching Copper are welcomed to promote that cozy feeling of warmth and comfort. Plus, they can carry out activities in Cooper’s presence, benefiting from the supportive companionship dogs offer.
As a collaboration between the UNBSJ Mental Health Peer Supporters, Student Representative Council, and Counseling Services, Therapy Dog Thursdays is designed to improve the mental and emotional well-being of the students.
“It’s something that’s been highly requested by students. I think that it’s a really good way for students to distress, unwind from busy times—from all the studying, assignments, exams…” said Angel Côté, Vice President-Student Life.
“It’s a decompression kind of event especially since the midterm season is coming back up,” Mental Health Peer Supporter Kaitlyn Eatman-Thorne added.
Indeed, therapy dogs play a vital role in enhancing the overall wellness of individuals. Ample research supports that therapy animals alleviate negative emotions and enhance positive feelings among diverse populations. College students, in particular, reported decreased levels of anxiety and stress just after a 1-minute interaction with a therapy dog.
Overall, Therapy Dog Thursday is a tail-wagging event that fosters healing and connection within the UNB Saint John community. Just from Cooper’s first visit, students were delighted and relaxed by his friendly and gentle nature. Some even remarked that Cooper reminded them of their furry friends back home. Be sure to catch Cooper on campus this Thursday (February 8th) to fetch yourself that much-needed break and canine comfort. Updates on Therapy Dog Thursdays are available through @unbsj.peersupport and @unb_src on Instagram.
