Ruff days were less so when therapy dogs from Happy Tails stopped by the Sturgis Library on October 30.
Lasting from 1 to 2:30 p.m., this event saw a few dogs of different breeds stop by the library to give students a rush of endorphins before the semester’s end. Each dog, though accompanied by their respective owners, received training to provide emotional support for those who need or want a brief snuggle.
Set up for the event started at around 11 a.m., with posters plastered across the library and small paw prints acting as a trail guiding students to the event. Though getting all the dogs into the library on time and setting everything up for them may sound daunting, the truth is quite the opposite.
“This is one of the events we do pretty regularly, so setting it up is pretty smooth,” event supervisor Kristina Clement said. “We have a contact with the Happy Tails therapy pets that we email and request a visit, and then they just recruit the volunteers and send them here on the day of. It’s a pretty stress-free event.”
This lack of stress seemed to draw out students, as the line for entry extended many feet back from the room. Some of the dogs present at the event included Garland the Golden Retriever, Xia the Staffordshire Terrier and Roxie the Cavapoo. Fitting the season, a few of the dogs came in full Halloween attire.
Attendees were admitted into the room for five-minute sessions, during which they could interact with all of the dogs and their owners: petting and chatting with the dogs was encouraged, though those wanting to observe from a distance were able to do so without issue. At the end of each session, students were gifted with small gifts and encouraged to take a brief survey to ensure the event would repeat.
Though the event didn’t last very long, the effort taken to ensure it ran smoothly left a strong impression on the visiting pet owners.
“[The school’s library] really rolled out the red carpet for us and made us feel so special and important,” Happy Tails volunteer Kim Lambeth said. “I really appreciate the extra touches of the water and the breaks [for the dogs]”.
More information about Happy Tails can be found on their website.
