The St. John Ambulance’s Therapy Dog Program is returning to UFV, as dog owners and their furry friends volunteer on alternating Mondays and Tuesdays at the Abbotsford campus library.
“A therapy dog brings comfort and joy to anyone they are visiting with,” said Barbara Renkers, a unit facilitator with the program, “and their temperament invites pets and pats and belly rubs and just makes people feel good, especially after an exam…and for international students, it’s really nice meeting with them and hearing their stories of their dogs that they really miss.”
Renkers said the therapy dogs have been coming to UFV for a few years now and will visit once a week for an hour in the front entrance of the library.
“It sounds funny, but the dogs do smile too,” said Renkers as she explained what she notices most about the engagement between the students and the dogs. “It does bring out smiles from people as we watch them approach the library doors there. The smiles come out.”
Renkers and the other owners revealed that the therapy dogs are always excited and look forward to visiting the students at the UFV library. Renkers noted that “they just love the social interaction and they like the attention; they are like kids.”
All St. John Ambulance therapy dogs are certified-good-boys after completing a 12-point evaluation that is similar to the Canine Good Neighbour program.
In light of the COVID-19 closures, the St. John’s Ambulance therapy dogs were unable to visit the regular places within the community they usually volunteer at, including the UFV library. Renkers said that “we spent time during COVID-19 establishing a good relationship with the Correctional Service of Canada and established visits with the staff there, so we kept our dogs busy.” She added that they also had new intakes of dogs and owners during this time. Renkers said, “It is so beneficial, not only to individuals visiting, but the dogs themselves, and we as handlers thoroughly enjoy it as well.”
Renkers said that this program “will go on forever because dogs will be popular forever!”
The Chilliwack unit has suspended their visits over the summer, but they will resume “Woof Woof Wednesdays” starting in September, every Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Rachel is working towards a BA with a concentration in English and Theatre. She has been employed at The Cascade since Fall 2021 as a Staff Writer and a Jr. News Editor. Currently, she is the sectional News Editor and enjoys meeting and interviewing people as well as taking long walks in nature. Rachel also likes to stay up to date on the latest trends and informs students through her fashion column entitled Campus Fashion.
