UFV Abbotsford’s library occasionally hosts St. John Ambulance therapy dogs during exam season, but at Chilliwack, they now visit regularly.
The Chilliwack campus is now host to “Woof Woof Wednesdays,” when therapy dogs will be available on campus a few hours a week for those who wish to destress. The dogs can be found in the cafeteria seating area in Building A at CEP every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m until the last day of classes on Dec. 4.
Deborah Innes is a volunteer with the St. John Ambulance program, and serves as an evaluator for the dogs.
“Any dog can do this if they have the right temperament,” said Innes.
Belinda Karsen, a coordinator for UFV Student Life and a dog handler, has been working with therapy dogs for about a year and a half now. Karsen is the owner of Caroline, a white Great Pyrenees, who can be found in the Student Life Lounge in Building S on the Abbotsford campus three or four days per week.
“Human-dog interaction is somewhat magical to see,” said Karsen. “I like seeing the pleasure and stress relief they bring students.”
Caroline was once a stray who was rescued and adopted into the St. John Ambulance program. Though she cannot say for sure, Karsen estimates Caroline’s age at six years. Caroline has a great deal of experience as a therapy dog and has even helped students get through panic attacks.
The other dog who was there at the time of the interview was a three-year-old, black-and-white Shetland sheepdog named Nevada. Nevada is newer at the therapy dog gig, and it was her third session.
Both Caroline and Nevada have a very calm and peaceful temperament. Merely being near them is relaxing. A calm, non-reactive personality is an important asset for a therapy dog, according to Karsen.
Normally there are four dogs at Woof Woof Wednesdays. The other two are Maya and Lola, who are both Bernese mountain dogs. Unlike Caroline and Nevada, Maya and Lola have more energetic and outgoing personalities. Karsen says that different people gravitate towards dogs with different personalities depending on their needs.
Maya was not able to attend because she was in Abbotsford, and Lola was taking a break. According to Karsen, dogs are very emotionally receptive, and absorbing so much negative emotion can take its toll over time, which is why the dogs occasionally take breaks to recover.
Karsen says the therapy dogs are big sensory objects that students can use to overcome stress and anxiety. The dogs are also a good conversation-starter for those wishing to open up. Caroline’s fur is especially soft and luxurious. However, those who want to pet or cuddle Caroline should be warned that they will likely take some of that fur with them. There was quite a bit of it clinging to Karsen’s pant legs.
Anyone passing through Chilliwack campus around noon on Wednesdays is more than welcome to interact with the dogs.
Image: Aleister Gwynne
