Attention dog lovers! Alkek is trying something new this semester. We will have therapy dogs in the library to help students relax during the often stressful week of finals.
First, a little about the special dogs coming to visit. These dogs are not simply the dog next door. Each dog and its handler are registered “Pet Partners” and have been through extensive training to prepare for all kinds of situations. Pet Partners are able to visit places like nursing homes, hospitals, elementary schools, and libraries to spread comfort and healing.
For this program, Alkek is partnering with a local therapy dog group called Pawsitive Energy: Pet Partners of San Marcos. Several of the handlers are Texas State faculty, including founders Julie and Kevin Romig of the Geography Department. Visit Pawsitive Energy’s website to learn about this organization and see photos of some of the dogs coming to Alkek.
While this is a new experience for Texas State, therapy dog programs have become popular in libraries and on college campuses across the U.S. as research increasingly shows the health benefits of animal therapy. In fact, the University of Texas at Austin launched their therapy dog program in the Perry–Castañeda library during their fall 2012 finals, and other universities with successful programs include Yale Law School, Harvard Medical School, Kent State, Emory University, University of Michigan, Rice University, and UT Arlington.
At Alkek, our upcoming therapy dog program is a pilot, which means if it’s successful, we’ll be able to offer it again. Please help make it successful by coming to pet our visiting dogs. All are welcome! ~Kay Hetherly
WHEN: May 1 (10 a.m. - 12 p.m.)
May 2 (12 p.m. - 2 p.m.)
May 3 (1 p.m. - 3 p.m.)
WHERE: Alkek Library, 2nd floor, Leisure Reading Area
