Carleton is bringing seven therapy dogs to campus to help students manage their stress and promote positive mental health.
The new initiative is unique in integrating university employees as handlers for their own dogs, and training handlers to provide students with further mental health resources after their visit.
Shannon Noonan, the program’s facilitator, said the idea to combine mental health more directly with therapy dogs came to her during her office hours with Blue—her Great Dane-Pointer mix—who has been a therapy dog at Carleton since 2016.
“There was already lots of overlap between the two (mental health and therapy dogs), and I noticed that the students who were coming to see Blue sometimes needed more mental health connections,” she said.
Noonan said the therapy dogs have been fully trained under the Ottawa Therapy Dogs evaluation and the Canine Good Neighbour Program from the Canadian Kennel Club—a 12-step process that allows a dog and their handlers to demonstrate confidence in public behaviour and good manners.
“We’re hoping [our program] will foster environments for conversation,” Noonan said, “and they come in on different days, which may be better for some students’ schedules.”
John Vendel, owner of Carleton therapy dog Uncle Steven, said his office hours have been very successful.
“Petting a dog is a major refresher button for students stressing over school and exams,” Vendel said.
Bronwyn Forsyth, a fifth-year communications student, said she thinks the program is important for students.
“When I go to a doctor, I’m looking for a solution,” Forsyth explained, “but when I go to a dog, I’m looking for a de-stressor.”
Forsyth added that there’s often a stigma or judgement in seeking a therapist, so people may be more likely to go play with a dog when dealing with an issue.
Noonan said the funds for the program were raised through FutureFunder—Carleton’s crowdfunding platform that allows anyone to donate towards causes and projects initiated by university staff, students, and other employees.
“That’s the one thing [all dogs] all have in common—no judgement,” Noonan said.
As part of the program, the therapy dogs will attend several special events, and can be requested by university departments throughout the term. They will begin holding their office hours this week.
Graphic by Paloma Callo
