Therapy Dogs Help Fitchburg State Students De-Stress
By: Meghan Russo

Fitchburg State University held its monthly therapy dog event on Sept. 17. The event was open to the entire campus community in the Hammond Main Lounge from 3:30-5:00 pm. The therapy dog event occurs once each month throughout the academic year. Those who attended the event had the opportunity to relax with several therapy dogs after a long day of classes, an event designed to help students manage stress.
Typically, there is a range of three to five therapy dogs at the event, sometimes allowing for one-on-one time with a dog. Calming background music adds to a more relaxed atmosphere.
“I have two therapy dogs and originally had them just as normal pets. I always wanted to bring the dogs into nursing homes to bring joy to the residents there. I decided to train my dogs and get them registered as therapy dogs. I followed my dream of bringing them into nursing homes and also bringing my therapy dogs to different schools, including Fitchburg State University,” said one therapy dog owner.
The event offers a unique opportunity for students who may be missing their own pets from home or need a way to relax and destress from school work or other stressors in their lives.