Bright Spot Therapy Dog Betty gets a huge hug from a student at Bay Path University.
Stress is high on the campuses of colleges and universities at the end of a semester.
Students are busy finalizing term projects and papers for some courses and studying for exams in others. Along with these pressures, many students hold a part time job to help with college expenses.
This is the perfect scenario for our Bright Spot Therapy Dogs.
Our friendly, comforting, well-trained dogs are the perfect stress-relievers. This proved itself to be true over the past week as approximately 40 Bright Spot Therapy Dog teams headed to five different campuses throughout the state of Massachusetts.
On Monday, December 4th, 31 Bright Spot Therapy Dogs were visited by a record-breaking crowd of 2,036 students in the Student Union Ballroom and library at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
It always amazes me how a room full of dogs and so many people can be so quiet… just a low tone of voice is used by all. Some students don’t talk at all as they lie on the floor next to a dog, petting his head. Just a lot of dog hugs and petting, and frequent comments about feeling a sense of calm. All meaning the dogs are doing their job… bringing comfort to those in need.
On to the campus of Western New England University on Thursday, December 7th, and Bay Path University on Tuesday, December 12th.
Bright Spot Therapy Dogs Zoe and Whidbey with their teammates Maria Markenson and Char James-Tanny at Emerson College in Boston.
Thank you to Bright Spot Volunteers Maria Markenson and Char James-Tanny for holding a mini stress-relief event at Emerson College with their dogs Zoe and Whidbey. Then, Maria headed over to Boston University where Zoe was enjoyed by students in the BU library and Hillel House.
All came to relax in what many students tell us is “The Very Best Way!”
The students love the dogs – and the dogs love the students. Staff stop in, too, for some much needed TLC. Many of our volunteers take a day off from work to participate in our Therapy Dog Stress-Relief Events on college/university campuses. It’s a win-win for all.
To see more wonderful photos of our Bright Spot Therapy Dogs during our campus visits this past week, please visit us on Facebook.
If you are interested in getting your dog certified with Bright Spot, please visit our website to learn about the steps involved.