Sponsored by Slippery Rock University's President's Commission for Wellness, therapy dogs, Bella and Sookie, visited students in Patterson Hall March 6. The duo, owned by Deborah Hutchins, assistant professor of recreational therapy, is registered with Therapy Dogs International, a volunteer organization "dedicated to regulating, testing and registration of therapy dogs and their volunteer handlers for the purpose of visiting nursing homes, hospitals, other institutions and wherever else therapy dogs are needed." Studies have shown that animal-assisted therapy can promote human improvements in physical, social, emotional and/or cognitive function. The dogs will visit campus again from noon-1:30 p.m., April 3 and May 9 in the Patterson Hall lobby.
