As a popular program for the University of Wyoming Wellness Center, the Doggie Destressor program had its second session yesterday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Half Acre Gymnasium. The three certified therapy dog teams came in, and students of all ages and all grades enjoyed cooing, petting and playing with the dogs.
Yesterday’s dogs were Penny, a petite, lively Norwich Terrier Mix, Q-Vo, an 8-year-old Australian Shepherd made entirely of fluff, and Samson, a huge, bulky 6-year-old German Shepherd mix.
Each dog had its own fan club of students, gathered in medium sized circles on the floor of the room. On leashes, the pups roamed around the circles of the fawning students, as the students cooed and made kissy faces with corresponding noises in the direction of the dogs, petting the dogs as they pranced by.
Mary Beth Stepans, Samson’s owner, used treats to show the different tricks that Samson could do, such as sitting, lying down and rolling over. Q-Vo sported a straw hat on his head, but he simply ignored the fact that it was on in the first place as giggling students took pictures of him with their smart phones.
This is an average day at the doggie Destressor program for the UW Wellness Center. The last Destressor day was in Sept., and the future dates of the program for this semester are Nov. 7 and Dec. 5.
Assistant director of the Wellness Center, Lena Newlin, stands by the program and its benefits for the students. Newlin has worked with Wellness for two years, and the Doggie Destressor has always been a program that Wellness has done.
“We know that a lot of students have pets at home, so when they come to college, it’s a bit difficult for them to transition to college and leave behind their beloved pet, so this is an opportunity for them to not only interact with the dogs, but also with other people and get to know other people,” Newlin said.
Students certainly are not complaining. Q-Vo is one of the regular dogs that show up for this program, and sometimes, his trainer, Brandie Mullan, does special things for the students with Q-Vo, to make the most out of the program.
“Last February, she [Mullan] brought in a doggie kissing booth, and people took pictures with him [Q-Vo], it was so cute,” Newlin said.
The program is designed to help students de-stress by petting, playing and spending time with dogs. Petting a dog has been proven to lower heart rate, and the program helps students reap the benefits of having a dog, even just for a little while.
“There are many levels of benefits. [Being around dogs] can decrease blood pressure, help with depression, and help stimulate relaxation. Just the social interaction you get when you attend the program helps people de-stress as well,” Newlin said.
For more information on future Dog De-Stressor sessions or other de-stress programs that the Wellness Center offers, head to the website of the UW Wellness Center, at http://www.uwyo.edu/rec/wellness-center/.
