Meet the pups of UCSB’s dog therapy day

On Wednesday afternoon, hundreds of UCSB students flocked to the SRB lawn, where they were greeted by the licks, tail-wags, and unconditional love of man’s best friend.

Yes, it was Dog Therapy Day at UCSB – one of the only things students can look forward to amidst the stress of dead week.

The event was put on by the UCSB Health and Wellness Program, along with the organization Love on a Leash, which brings therapy dogs to children, the sick, the elderly, and you guessed it…stressed out college students.

This quarter’s Dog Therapy Day hosted a diverse and lively group of canines.  

Fletcher, a yellow lab, was eager to shake hands and meet new friends (especially when they offered him a treat).

Elouise, a black lab, was ready for naptime by the time I met her. It’s no surprise the 8-month old was tired – she’s currently in a training program that prepares puppies to be guide dogs for the blind.

Herbie, a Havanese mix rescue, couldn’t wait to show off how well he can stand on two feet. In his spare time, he enjoys chasing passers bys on both bicycles and skateboards.

Thunder Road, colloquially known as Hank, was pleased and proud to show off his St. Patrick’s Day attire. Hank is quite the fighter – the smallest of his litter, Hank almost passed away twice early on in his life in addition to having been fed through a tube as a puppy. Today, he was looking bright and beaming as ever!

Gina, who preferred to be called “Super-Dog”, was somewhat of a celebrity at Dog Therapy Day. “I’m used to the attention,” explained Gina. “Everyone glorifies superheroes nowadays,” The bold Boston Terrier woofed.

“What they don’t understand is the toll it can take on a dog. Some days, I can’t even start my afternoon nap until 4. It’s hard, but if I don’t stand up for dogs everywhere and take on the diabolical mailmen of our city, who will?”

I reached out to local postal service for comment, but they declined to respond.

Bodie, a golden lab mix, was also eager to show off her St. Patrick’s Day spirit with her stylish green bow. Like Elouise, she was training to be a guide dog, but unfortunately had to stop because of a cataract. Now, she is owned and loved by her former trainer!

UCSB is lucky to have a Health and Wellness Program so committed to the mental and physical well-being of students.  If you would like to get more involved in events like Dog Therapy Day, there are volunteer and internship opportunities available on their website,  as well as information about other resources available to UCSB students.

If you didn’t make it out to this Dog Therapy Day, don’t get your tail in a twist – the Health and Wellness Program holds one every quarter during dead week.

And it’s a good thing they do – otherwise, I think most of UCSB would lose their sanity.