In the midst of midterms week as deadlines built, a different kind of academic support made its way into the University of Idaho Library. On March 12, therapy dogs visited campus to help students and faculty manage stress from academics and personal life, offering a simple but meaningful break during a busy time in the semester.
While the interactions between students and dogs may seem brief, organizers say the dogs are trained to provide real emotional support. Two dogs were present named River and Bridget, a purebred golden retriever and a border collie golden retriever mix respectively.
The dogs seem to know who needs them, or have a sort of “sixth sense” for people under quiet distress, said Janet Johnson, the organizer of the periodic therapy dog events. Johnson described moments where the dog could go right through a group of people to one person and embrace that person. These dogs are on campus to show support and are highly friendly when approached.
The presence of therapy dogs bring a number of therapeutic benefits. They support those who may have lost a dog at home, are unable to see their own pets, or are struggling with stress, anxiety, or depression. Outside of the university environment, they may be used alongside a difficult testimony in a court, or make hospital visits.
Some students who were able to stop in the library and spend a quick moment with the dogs said it made their day.
Johnson had many stories about therapy dogs affecting people in distress. Years ago, she was a crisis response therapy dog handler, which included staying at a support center in Colorado after a devastating fire and visiting schools following student deaths. In these situations, she emphasized how the dogs could quietly aid those affected by deep emotional pain, without many barriers.
Bridget’s owner said that sometimes when a student passed by the therapy dogs and pet them, they would suddenly begin to cry before slowly regaining composure and leaving for class. Johnson said that sometimes with people, things get triggered when interacting with a therapy dog, whether a pet at home has passed away, or something more complex was faced.
From quick study breaks to longer relaxation and deeper emotional support, therapy dogs serve a wide range of roles for students who interact with them.
Johnson said the impact of her work is clear in those moments, “I find the work rewarding.”
Future therapy dog events can be found on the UI events website.
Sam Walch can be reached at [email protected].