Friendly dog crew brings stress relief to N.B. hospitals, nursing homes, universities
The friendly trio of Rowdy, Ketu, and Bo get the same reaction wherever they go: undivided attention and affection.
They’re part of a travelling group of local dogs in the Fredericton-area, who, alongside their owners, make regular visits to university students, hospital patients, and nursing home residents.
“It’s amazing how it can put smiles on people’s faces that maybe are having a bad day,” said Sue Wishart of the River Valley Obedience Club & Field Trial Club, where the dogs are trained and certified. “Sometimes there are dogs that can really detect somebody that’s having a really bad day.”
Wishart said dogs who participate in the regular meet-and-greet events are tested beforehand for behaviour around loud noises, large crowds, and new people.
“The dogs have to know how to ‘leave it,’ especially in the seniors’ facilities where we go, because there could be food or medications on the floor,” said Wishart.
What was initially scheduled as an end-of-semester visit at St. Thomas University (STU) has become a monthly event, and several students are repeat attendees.
“They’re so well behaved,” said Avery Morton, a STU student. “They really do lower your stress levels and they’re so joyful.”
The university’s mental health coordinator said the regular events create an opportunity to share additional information about other mental health resources available on campus.
“It’s also great for students experiencing homesickness and who are away from their parents, or their pets, to have a chance to reconnect with animals,” said Brittany Sprague, STU’s mental health coordinator.
Taylor Watson, a STU student, says Thursday’s event was her third time visiting Rowdy, Ketu, and Bo in recent months. Watson said the visits reminded her of her own pets back home in Saint John.
“An animal is a big support system and it’s a big part of our lives,” said Watson. “So it’s really important to have them here.”
For more New Brunswick news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6903244.1716897063!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
BREAKING Scotiabank suffers direct deposit outage on pay day
Scotiabank has acknowledged technical difficulties affecting direct deposits as clients report missed payments Friday morning. On Friday morning, the bank's client services phone line was playing an automated message assuring customers that work was underway to rectify the outage.
BREAKING Canada Soccer head investigating 'systemic ethical shortcoming' amid spying scandal
Canada Soccer chief executive officer Kevin Blue said he was investigating a potential 'systemic ethical shortcoming' within the program but has not considered pulling the women's soccer team from the Paris Olympics due to a drone spying scandal.
Suspected train sabotage, bad weather dampen spirits ahead of Paris opening ceremony
The Paris Olympics are getting off to a rough start, with suspected acts of sabotage targeting France's flagship high-speed rail network.
Elon Musk's estranged daughter calls out his 'entirely fake' claims about her childhood
Vivian Jenna Wilson, Elon Musk's estranged daughter, publicly refuted several recent anti-trans statements her Tesla CEO and X owner father has made about her.
'She led it the whole way': 18-year-old B.C. woman leads hikers to safety in Jasper National Park
As fire threatened people in Jasper National Park, Colleen Knull sprung into action.
'Catastrophic' situation 'cannot continue': Open letter from Trudeau, other PMs calling for Gaza ceasefire
Prime ministers of Canada, New Zealand and Australia released a letter renewing calls for an “urgent ceasefire” in Gaza on Friday morning.
Arson attacks cause chaos before start of Olympics in Paris, thwarting athletes' travel
Arsonists attacked the French high-speed rail network early Friday, paralyzing travel to Paris from across the rest of France and Europe for some 800,000 people, including Olympic athletes heading to the grand opening ceremony of the Games in the evening.
Saskatchewan First Nation lifts 17-year long water advisory
After 17 years, residents of Star Blanket Cree Nation can breathe a sigh of relief when turning on their taps.
Latest updates on wildfires in Jasper National Park: Rain, cooler weather limiting spread
Cool and wet weather is making a difference in Jasper National Park.