CAS CONNECT 2017

By Brian Petrotta Photos by Jason Wallace Logan Roscoe 19 O ne of Oklahoma State University’s primary traits is the cultivation of a friendly campus that helps students feel as if they are part of a family. For many, family includes pets. Through a cross-campus, collaborative effort, Pete’s Pet Posse (P3, for short) was established in Fall 2013 to intro- duce pet therapy dogs in hopes of making the OSU campus feel even more like home. In four short years, eight dogs associated with College of Arts and Sciences’ faculty and staff have earned their “barkalaureates,” and more are on the way. The popular- ity of the program has grown by traditional word-of-mouth as well as hand-to-fur. “We have two dogs, Sandy D. and Chunk, in Life Sciences East, where I work,” Assistant Dean for Outreach Bobbi Kay Lewis says. “Their owners told me about the program and what great experi- ences they’ve had in the program, which inspired me to get on board.” P3 owners and their dogs must first submit an application in August and September. If the program accepts them, complete extensive training begins in January. Graduation from the program includes obtaining the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification and national registration with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. They collaborate with their department to develop a work schedule and participate in special P3 events throughout the year. It can make for a significant time commitment, but it reaps bountiful rewards. Bret Danilowicz, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, recalls one student who burst into tears upon seeing his dog, Sandy D. She laid down with Sandy, hugged her and cried for several minutes. Then she stood up, smiled and said, “I really needed that,” before walk- ing away. “We never exchanged names or greetings — but in that moment, we didn’t need to,” Danilowicz says. “She just needed Sandy.” TAKING NOTICE Most interactions involve smiles and laughter. As the program enters its fifth year at OSU, students have come to look for dogs wearing the orange P3 vests. Even prospective students who visit the campus have taken notice. “I remember one freshman during a visit who told me she decided to come to OSU because of P3,” says Leslie Baldwin, undergraduate adviser for the Department of Communications Sciences and Disorders. Pet therapy is quickly growing in popularity everywhere. Hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices, people with learning difficulties and stress- ful situations such as disaster areas have taken advantage of this approach. The OSU Pet Therapy Program was designed to contrib- ute to the America’s Healthiest Campus ® initiative. “Mental health often gets over- looked, and petting a dog one day CONTINUES “It is incredible to see the st ress just mel t of f people whi le they are pet t ing your dog.”