{"id":600,"date":"2024-02-11T10:07:32","date_gmt":"2024-02-11T18:07:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theredlandsbulldog.com\/?p=600"},"modified":"2025-05-02T21:55:10","modified_gmt":"2025-05-03T04:55:10","slug":"who-let-the-therapy-dogs-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theredlandsbulldog.com\/index.php\/2024\/02\/11\/who-let-the-therapy-dogs-out\/","title":{"rendered":"Who Let the Therapy Dogs Out?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The beginning and end of the semester can be stressful for students. Whether it is the strain of final exams or being away from one\u2019s family, the sources of stress are abundant, and the remedies are in short supply. One such remedy comes from an unexpected source: therapy dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a good opportunity to have folks take a moment to pause and breathe and find relaxation in dogs,\u201d Jillian Strong, the assistant director of Student Involvement, said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strong worked with DAWGS (Doing Activities With Great Spirit) to bring therapy dogs to campus on Nov. 30, 2023 in the fall semester and on Jan. 24 this semester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe connect with the Inland Empire Therapy Dogs. They\u2019re all volunteer-based, so the dogs who come are different every time,\u201d Strong said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last semester, students had a chance to meet Meelo Wiltsie, Paisley Trembly, Aelish Martinez and Lucky Boy by the bulldog statue. This semester, students could hang out with Boo Boo Mitchell, Aelish Martinez, Wesley Wheeler, and Bear Gremard on the first floor of Hunsaker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Students take a break with Irish Wolfhound Aelish outside the library at the first Therapy Dogs event. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sue Martinez, Aeilish\u2019s owner, shared that every time she\u2019s been to a college campus, the students there are \u201cjust as happy to see [the dogs]\u201d as the younger kids she and Aelish often work with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn the moment I see students\u2019 shoulders relaxed; they\u2019re laughing and engaging. It\u2019s a good event,\u201d Strong added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The therapy dogs act as a mental health break for students, providing comfort and bringing smiles. Although, it\u2019s not just the dogs that are impactful, the volunteers make a difference for students too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe folks who come are really good at engaging students with questions that help them process what\u2019s on their mind; they\u2019re really affirming. I remember hearing one student say \u2018I really needed to hear that,\u2019\u201d Strong said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Boo Boo and Mr. Mitchell in the Hunsaker center during the Therapy Dogs event on Jan. 24.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Though it will be a while before the therapy dogs are on campus again, Strong shared that students can expect to see them around finals week. Until then, students can reach out to the university counseling center at 909-748-8108 or access TimelyCare if they are looking for any additional support this semester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photos by Madelyn Olsen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edit in May 2025 – Unnecessary punctuation in the title removed<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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