Jan. 17, 2018

NDSU Counseling Center offers sessions with dogs

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NDSU’s Pawsitive Relaxation program proves a little help from a four-legged friend can go a long way.

The program, sponsored by the NDSU Counseling Center, gives NDSU students a chance to reduce stress by hanging out with one of the center’s registered therapy dogs.

During one-hour sessions, students can feel the comfort and peace that comes through interacting with English Setters named Oliver, Watson and Addie.

“Sometimes there’s a stigma visiting the Counseling Center, and coming to see the therapy dogs takes the pressure off students,” explained Amber Bach-Gorman, center assistant director, who coordinates the project. “Our therapy dogs love to cuddle, say hello and do tricks. The byproduct of that is the students begin to engage with other students and pretty soon they are talking about what they did on the weekend and what challenges they face. They often don’t realize they are doing that.”

The dogs, often times, help open the door so counselors can provide information about stress management or offer other counseling services available to students.

Many of the students who come for Pawsitive Relaxation, haven’t been to the center before. The dogs can change that.

“The outcomes of visiting our therapy dogs are that students now know where the Counseling Center is and we find that they’ll be more likely to reach out to the center in the future or refer a friend,” said Bach-Gorman.

The NDSU Counseling Center, located in Ceres 212, provides a confidential setting where students may explore personal or academic concerns. Center personnel make referrals and serve as consultants for faculty and staff.

Pawsitive Relaxation is open to all NDSU students, and is scheduled from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on these dates during spring semester:

• Friday, Jan 19

• Friday, Feb. 16

• Friday, March 23

• Friday, April 20

To register for the program, call the Counseling Center at 231-7671.

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