Doodle helps college students de-stress!

[Ginny Nightingale]

This article and accompanying video is about a Canadian college that has set up a "puppy room" for college kids as a way to relieve stress--this topic has been discussed before and this is something that I do with my red doodle named Mattie--she loves it and it is just like what they show in the video, although NO ONE waits an hour to get in as they did at this school. We go to State University of NY at Albany, which has thousands of students--but still, it doesn't get this crowded!

Anyway, if you watch the embedded video, you will see what MUST be a doodle at around 20 seconds in and again near the end--cute little guy too!

http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/07/tech/social-media/apparently-this-mat...

[Julie and Charlie]

As a former student at a similar institution: Campus Activities (the office that runs student activities) or the Health/Counseling Center (perhaps one of the counselors can convince someone!)

[BG and Gavin]

I was lucky because I worked there already, I had my Dean's ear and she was on board right away.  However I was taxed with "educating" others on what a therapy dog was and how it could be helpful to the students.I basically prepared a resume for Gavin with info from TDI and links to studies and examples of programs in Canada.  I also included a nice picture of him as a selling point. It's hard because the communication is not always as linear as you would like.  For example a month into the visits I received an email from the assistant to the accountant for the college asking on behalf of her boss if Gavin had his shots. Oh dear.  Then I could not advertise to the students when I would be there because email contact is only for academic and college sanctioned activities.  My Dean jumped all over that.  She felt it was a mental health issue and pulled the strings to advertise it on the college TVs.  However once I made a couple of specific contacts and announced where I would be when, and the info in Ginny's link came out, I have been overwhelmed with requests.   

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

That is so great that your Dean was on board. Mine won't be. I will check with Student Services or the Counseling Center. The finals are next week, so I guess it's a bit late, but perhaps I can do all the footwork and cutting the red tape to be ready for the Spring semester finals.

[BG and Gavin]

If you wish Jarka you can PM me your email address and I can email you Gavin's resume to use as an example.  We are not allowed in food areas of course.  You have to find an advocate is the bottom line I guess and then convince them of the professional nature of your certification - including that you are insured.  Schools love to see research, so if you can show them similar programs in their area that helps too.  The old "everyone is doing it, you better jump on board." LOL

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

You just motivated me all over again. Thanks!

[DJ & Chance]

Ginny, I work at a university and my pup Chance will be on campus later this week during finals. He has been on campus twice before, and the students love to play with him.  He is a very social pup, and although he is too young to be certified as a therapy dog, I have already started the training.

[Ginny Nightingale]

Great!! The nice thing about being certified is the insurance policy--I take Mattie to an assisted living with people that are unsteady on their feet--Mattie is fine with them but if anything happened that was blamed unfairly on the dog, I would be covered by TDI insurance.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Dog magic.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

This is pretty cool....Guinness would love it.  BG, Gav seems like a perfect "fit" for this.  Keep us posted on how you make out and I can't wait to see the pictures from the shoot.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Wally and I are going to a similar event at Wellesley College later this week, and then we're off to Boston University next week.  Wally LOVES helping the students de-stress, and they seem to love him, too!

[Ginny Nightingale]

HEY!! I went to Wellesley College!! I never miss a reunion! Have fun there! 

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Ginny, Please get in touch when you're in the area for your next reunion.  I'd love to get together!