Smiles, laughs and warm feelings filled the Main Hall West Atrium when the Dogs on Campus pet therapy program returned to the Kent State University at Ashtabula campus on Tuesday, April 12.
"I heard so many wonderful comments about how much students, faculty and staff enjoyed the dogs being here," said Academic Services coordinator Carol Jones, who organized the event. "But the biggest thing I noticed were the huge smiles from everyone who came by."
The Dogs on Campus (D.O.C.) program was founded by Kent State professor Dr. Kathy Adamle and is celebrating its 10th anniversary this semester. The first pet therapy program on a university campus in the county, D.O.C. is designed for students, faculty and staff to provide an uplifting and positive experience to those possibly dealing with stress or homesickness. According to program organizers, studies have shown that the presence of dogs reduced stress levels in certain situations.
In addition to traveling to campuses, the therapy dogs and Dogs on Campus volunteers are also present for depression screenings, other mental health activities and in strategic Kent campus locations during finals week.
Kent State Ashtabula students, faculty and staff will be available to visit, pet and played with the dogs during their visit to campus. English lecturer Beth Devore brought her Southwest Literature class to spend time with D.O.C.
To learn more about the Dogs on Campus program, visit dogsoncampus.org.