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Eddie
visits with Edison State student Kelsey Kirchner of Conover.
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There’s a New Dog on
Campus
Many consider the companionship of a pet to be invaluable. Pets not
only bring joy to people’s lives, but they also contribute to a
healthier lifestyle. According to the Center for Disease Control and
Prevention’s website, pets can help lower people’s blood pressure,
cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels, while also curbing
feelings of loneliness. In addition, pets increase opportunities for
outdoor exercise and socialization.
With the benefit of students in mind, Edison State Community College
has recently welcomed Eddie, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, to
campus. While just twelve-weeks in age, Eddie will begin professional
training with the Miami Valley Pet Therapy Association (mvPTa) to
become a certified therapy dog when he turns one year in age.
To complete training and graduate, Eddie must first pass his classes,
which span over an eight-week period. During this time, Eddie’s handler
will also receive instruction on how to conduct a pet therapy session.
Velina Bogart, Eddie’s handler and Coordinator of Disability Services
and Success Advisor at Edison State, has already started bringing Eddie
to campus to help socialize and prepare him for life as a therapy dog.
“There are several pre-requisites to being accepted into mvPTa,” said
Bogart. “For example, Eddie must be confident, calm, and cooperative as
well as get along with other pets and people. Eddie must also
understand basic obedience commands, such as sit, stay, and down prior
to attending mvPTa. He will also need to be able to walk calmly through
a crowd of people, which is something he is already learning to do here
at Edison State.”
While he has only been on campus for a short time, Eddie is already
proving to be top dog.
“Eddie already has quite a following. He has repeat student, faculty,
and staff visitors every day and he loves seeing each one as they stop
by.”
“Most people have been very receptive to having a dog on campus and
love seeing Eddie walk in the door,” added Bogart. “Some people do not
like dogs or pets, and I get that. Before I take a student to my
office, I always ask if they are okay with dogs or have any allergies.
If so, my co-workers have been very helpful in taking care of Eddie
when he needs to go out, and I’m with a student.”
Bogart came up with the idea of having a therapy dog on campus after
seeing quite a few students who were stressed, especially around final
exam time.
“Several faculty members have already been asking for me to bring Eddie
to their testing sessions to help lower the stress levels in the room.
Once Eddie is officially trained he will be able to sit in the testing
room with students.”
“With some background and education in mental health, I’ve seen how
animals can affect a person’s mood. The therapy animal can bring a
sense of calmness and lower stress levels by simply re-focusing the
student’s thoughts for just a moment.”
While Eddie’s objective will be to provide students with therapeutic
relief, his function will differ from that of a service dog. Service
dogs help with performing a specific function for someone who lives
with physical or emotional limitations. Therapy dogs provide affection
and comfort to those who may be confined to hospitals, nursing homes,
or other facilities. On college campuses, therapy dogs are most often
being trained to help people deal with anxiety and stress.
“Therapy dogs distract people from other concerns and worries, and
simply brighten their day,” added Bogart. “Eddie will provide that same
affection and comfort to distressed students on the Edison State
campus. Students, faculty, and staff can stop by my office to visit
with Eddie at any time.”
For more information about the Miami Valley Pet Therapy Association and
their services, visit mvpta.com.
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