MAKING FETCH HAPPEN: A JACK'S PURPOSE
On Wednesday, January 25, for two hours the Hawk's Nest transformed into haven of therapeutic wisdom. Every so often in a semester, Viterbo University provides a unique space for students to “sit” and “stay” for a while, amid the rush of a school day. The Coulee Humane Society of the La Crosse region enables this relief through the Pause for Paws program.
Coulee Humane Society’s Ambassadors of Love Pet Therapy is a program where animals are trained -- typically dogs and cats -- to visit numerous sites, including Viterbo. This includes nursing and group homes, memory care facilities, recovery organizations, mental health crisis sites, libraries and schools within the community. Erin Olson, Coulee’s Pet Therapy Coordinator, exemplifies the mission, that though there is a distinction between service animals and therapy animals, "Animal Assisted Therapy uses trained animals to enhance a person's physical, emotional and social well-being. The gentle, non-judgmental presence of a therapy animal boosts self-esteem, reduces anxiety and facilitates healing." There are currently seventy teams of volunteers, lending a helping-paw to those in need.
This "pawsitivity" was evident on campus with the presence of Jack. He is everything and anything but a hound-dog. His cloud-like posture and deep intuition canopied the whole room. He is an old soul of the Samoyed dynasty, not to be confused with a Siberian-Cotton-Snow-Bear or an Arctic-Avalanche-Fluff-Beast, though there are lineage allegations. He has lived many moons, and likely has howled at many as well; his expressive grin and eyes disguise his age of 79 years, (ten and a half in human years). He humbly rested on the Hawk’s Nest floor while masses of weary students, vocal-performers and nursing majors alike, came to implore him for his blessing and mentorship. The only deposit required for his services is a deep stroke or pat to his abundant, hypoallergenic mane. At his discretion, he wagged his immaculate tail, absolving the patients of all misdeeds.
This restorative phenomenon will return the February 14, 2017, just in time to make a Valentine’s date, because, it is known, they call it puppy love.