The University of Saskatchewan’s PAWS Your Stress Therapy Dog program is usually about releasing stress by visiting and petting the dogs on campus, but with the advent of physical distancing, the program has come up with another way to help.
The St. John Ambulance therapy dog teams are having live and recorded online visits for anyone who wants to learn more about taking care of their mental health during the challenges of COVID-19.
Sociology professor and USask Research Chair in One Health and Wellness, Dr. Colleen Dell, says through the end of July they will have PAWS Your Stress live events at least twice a week on Facebook where the dog and the handler will introduce themselves and then carry on an activity that could be a suggestion for anyone else to relieve stress.
Then, the recorded sessions are the handlers reading children’s books to the dogs.
Dell says reading and being with your dog are both stress relievers, so reading to a dog may help in these challenging times, and it’s hoped being a part of a virtual reading will do the same.
The dog therapy teams want everyone to know that they care, and want to help, and that’s what these virtual visits are about.
To take it in, go here.