A purebred Shetland Sheepdog is here to lend a paw to stressed and anxious students that need her support.
By Aleksandra Arandelovic
Sky, a certified therapy dog, relieved stressed students and faculty members twice this October in the 1L room 110.
On the 22nd of October, she was lying on a plaid black and white blanket, calm and still. The only thing moving were her vivid dark chocolate eyes, ready to make new acquaintances.
The first thing that her mom explained to the students who stepped into the room were her weak spots, in order for both parties to enjoy the experience at its most.
Sky has specifically been trained to provide comfort and emotional support to the people that she services; Therapy dogs are friendly, patient, confident, gentle and at ease in all situations. Therapy animals like sky love human contact and being petted or cuddled (even by strangers) is better than treats for them.
“She’s an official member of the Alliance of Therapy Dogs non-profit organization,” said Dr. Sarolta Takács, Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences (also Sky’s owner). “We have to get her certificate renewed every year.”
She loves to be petted on her back and will lay still for hours if you do so. (However, she doesn’t enjoy being pet near the muzzle and chest as much and as a result she’ll try to turn her head the other way.) She doesn’t enjoy being petted near the muzzle and chest as much, she’ll try to turn her head the other way.
“I definitely feel more relaxed while I’m petting her,” said student, Walter Broncano. “It’s like taking a break from studying.”
For students like Broncano and most other students, exams often coincide with stressful sleepless nights and endless cups of coffee. Which can both damage the human body and its functions over time, lack of sleep and high-intake of caffeine can increase breathing and heart rate as well as mental alertness. Caffeine can also contribute to a rise in cortisol levels, which is a hormone responsible for stress.
When you pet or cuddle a dog, it can lead to your body releasing oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding and emotional warmth. It reduces anxiety and releases feelings of relaxation and comfort. Interacting with therapy dogs like Sky can also reduce cortisol in addition to lowering blood pressure and heart rate.
Squeezing even only five minutes of cuddles in between a tight schedule is enough to feel these benefits. Sky’s calm vibes automatically reflect on people the moment they approach her.
Not everyone likes dogs, some people are even scared of them, but CSI Librarian Mark Polger put aside his hesitancy and fought to bring this therapy dog on campus in order to service the school community.
“I grew up not liking and fearing dogs,” said Polger. “But I don’t feel nervous around Sky.”
Therapy dogs have proven to support students’ well-being; through the reduction of stress and promote and motivate students to keep studying and refresh before or between classes.
Dean Takács has agreed to host hour-long meetings with Sky which are open to anyone at least once a month since she’s her service dog and follows her on campus daily.
“Sky always takes care of me,” said Takács. “That’s why I always make sure she’s groomed, up to date with health shots and happy.”
