PAWS of CNY’s college and University therapy dog program does not take the summers off. Since our students work through the summer to prepare for continued academic success, PAWS of CNY continues to support those hard-working students with summer pet therapy programs.
On August 13, PAWS of CNY volunteer teams attended a de-stress event at Syracuse University’s Haven Hall dormitory. Karin Laskowski and her golden retriever, Piper, attended the event. According to Laskowski, the PAWS of CNY therapy dogs were an immediate hit with the students.
“We were outside haven hall in the entrance and as soon as the students heard and saw that the pups were there it was like a mad dash or mob coming down the stairs just to pet and see the animals!” said Laskowski. “The students were so excited to see Piper and the other dogs! They kept saying ‘We miss our dogs so much, thank you for bringing your dogs to visit us.'”
In addition to the stress-reducing benefits of PAWS of CNY’s college and university programs, one of the most common pieces of feedback that PAWS of CNY volunteers hear from students is how much they enjoy the interaction with the therapy dogs when they are away from home and missing their own pets and families. According to Laskowski, even a few minutes with a loving therapy dog can help rejuvenate a stressed, and tired mind.
“I think therapy visits during stressful times help because even for just a few minutes or for that hour their mind is taken off finals, or whatever is stressing them,” said Laskowski. “The visitors can just relax and sit with the dogs, and I think the calmness of the dogs helps calm the students.”
To learn more about the types of pet assisted wellness services that PAWS of CNY offers to the community, visit our programs page.