News

Gathered around Batman is a group of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students, some talking in soothing tones, some smiling and others just silently petting. 

“I liked Batman quite a bit. I especially liked his eyes. They are so attentive,” said Taylor Cook, a junior majoring in exercise science. 

Cook was one of approximately 300 students who came Monday to Morris University Center’s Goshen Lounge for “SIUE Gone to the Dogs.” The annual event provides dog therapy to students during Finals Week.

SIUE’s Morris University Center partners with CHAMP (Canine Helpers Allow More Possibilities) Assistance Dogs of Florissant, Mo., to provide the stress reliever.

“CHAMP has more than 80 teams of handlers and dogs and a cat who meet more than 1,500 people a month on scheduled visits to 65 sites,” said Liz Aurbach, CHAMP program director. “These include hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, nursery schools, adult day care centers, libraries, schools and colleges in metropolitan St. Louis, including southern Illinois.”

The four-legged friends and their owners visiting SIUE Monday included:

• Batman, an eight-year-old black and white Pit Bull, whose owner is Jeremy Kosydor of Belleville
• Bella, a six-year-old chocolate brown Labrador, whose owner is Carol Martarana of St. Louis
• Kylie, a six-year-old light brown Border Terrier, whose owner is Diana Kenny of St. Charles
• Millie, an 11-year-old yellow Labrador and Golden Retriever, whose owner is Jo Schaefer of St. Louis
• Newman, a four-year-old black Labrador, whose owner is Jill Vallow of Edwardsville 

Although the dogs have to pass both a basic obedience and temperament test, Aurbach said pet therapy dogs are “born and not made.”

“I liked them all,” said Caleb Stancliff, an undeclared sophomore, of all five pet therapy dogs. “I’m a relatively calm person, but it did help me feel a little calmer. It helped me to be in the moment, instead of focusing on the three finals lurking in the future.”

“This is my second time for the pet therapy,” said Kelsey Gray, a freshman majoring in English education. “It helps ease a lot of stress. I already had my French class test this morning, and I think it went OK. I have a quantitative reasoning test on Wednesday. I think it will go OK, too.”

Vallow, CHAMP board member, said she knew instinctively that her Newman would test out as a pet therapy dog. “See how he calmly welcomes the attention,” she said, as Newman lay down and folded his front two paws as a pair of female students came to stroke his head. 

“It’s so awesome to see so many students come out,” Schaefer said. “I know Millie and I both leave these sessions happier than when we came.”

Photos:

Caleb Stancliff takes time out Monday to pet with Bella, a chocolate brown Labrador.

Batman, a Pit Bull, enjoys his time with Taylor Cook.

Kelsey Gray gets low to visit with Kylie, a Border Terrier.

Approximately 300 students took time out of Finals Week for some pet therapy.