Dogs on Campus is the only program of its kind on college campuses throughout the U.S.

The program involves bringing 10 volunteers and their dogs to campus in an effort to relieve students’ stress. They will find dogs on the first floor of the Student Center Oct. 6 from noon to 1:00 p.m. and will be able to interact with the dogs and talk to volunteers.

The Delta Society certifies the canines for pet therapy. Dr. Kathy Adamle, professor of nursing, began the therapy program after frequently being stopped by students on campus so they could pet her dogs.

Oct. 6 is also National Depression Screening Day. Amy Quillin, associate director for Student Accessibility Services, said the dogs are brought to campus on this day because they can help with stress relief and also with dealing with grief and other emergencies or stressful events.

“Students can process grief in ways with a dog they might not otherwise with a counselor,” Quillen said. “It allows the processing to be done in a different way.”

Contact Caitlyn Callahan at [email protected].