Program is “celebrating for a good cause” to mark anniversary

A student pets Roxie, a pet therapy dog who enjoys the
attention.

(Photo credit: Eddye White)

The 2015 Spring Semester marks the 10th anniversary of the Dogs on Campus™ Pet Therapy Program©. And to celebrate, the program is giving back in a big way.

The program, which was the first of its kind in the nation, brings certified therapy dogs around campus to visit with faculty, staff and students.

For the past decade, Kathy Adamle, Ph.D., assistant professor in Kent State University’s College of Nursing, has been at the helm of the program, helping to put smiles on the many faces of the Kent State community. Therapy dogs from the Dogs on Campus program help students ease the anxiety of exams during finals week each semester at University Libraries’ Stress-Free Zone events on the Kent Campus.

“To me, this is really important,” says Adamle. “If you’re going to celebrate a 10th anniversary of being the first program in the country, I think you should give back.”

This semester, Dogs on Campus is working in conjunction with the Kent State Women’s Center Advisory Board Food Pantry on the Kent Campus to help collect donations as its philanthropy project. The Women’s Center provides food staples, such as pasta, rice, tuna, fruits and vegetables, to students in need for free to help fill in gaps while they are in transition or crisis. For each scheduled visit, Dogs on Campus asks that visitors bring in a nonperishable food item or make a cash donation to the Women’s Center’s food pantry.

A student enjoys a relaxing time with Luke, a friendly dog
from the Dogs on Campus pet therapy dog program.

(Photo credit: Eddye White)

When it started, the program had five team members. Now, with five new volunteers this semester alone, the program has grown to 22 members with 26 dogs. Making visits to residence halls, Regional Campuses, the Kent Student Center and University Library, the program has become one of the most popular attractions among students and faculty.

“It is a magical program,” Adamle says. “There’s no verbal communication, it’s all touching and feeling. The dog is looking at you or lying on its back or letting you rub it. It’s just this magical thing that happens. It’s very hard to put into words. I still can’t find a word to describe this program, except I think it’s magic.”

Upcoming Visits:

• March 11, 7-8 p.m. at Korb Hall
• March 16, 1-3 p.m. at the Kent Campus University Library
• March 31, noon-1 p.m. at the Kent Student Center, 2nd Floor
• April 7, 11:30-1 p.m. at Kent State University at Trumbull Library
• April 15, 11:30-12:30 p.m. at Kent State University at Ashtabula
• April 20, 7-8 p.m. at Centennial Court E
• April 29, noon-1 p.m. at the Kent State University at Stark Campus Center
• May 4, 3-5 p.m. at the Kent Campus University Library
• May 5, 3-5 p.m. at the Kent Campus University Library
  

For more information about the Dogs on Campus Pet Therapy Program, visit http://dogsoncampus.org or contact Adamle at kadamle@kent.edu.