The Humanities and Social Studies Center (HSSC) atrium is a campus hub typically populated by students chipping away at their schoolwork or grabbing a pick-me-up at the Global Café. On Monday, Nov. 20, two furry guests visited the space, stealing attention and providing a respite from the intensity of college life.
June and Odin, young German shepherds trained as therapy dogs, were on campus as part of an outreach event by Student Health and Wellness (SHAW) to de-stress and bring joy to the student body. Therapy dogs have been making appearances in the atrium from 4-5 p.m. every other Monday since Sept. 25.
Students gathered around the dogs, petting them and playing with the toy that June had brought along with her, a small stuffed penguin outfitted in a striped scarf and Santa hat. Competition for the attention of the puppies was friendly but real — students could be overheard asking for their turn at an interaction, to which Aadi Miglani `24 replied, “Sharing is not caring!”
Accompanying the shepherds was their owner, Kimberly Cameron, a trainer with Des-Moines based company Dog Training Elite. She originally started her career with June, who she intended to train as a service dog for her autistic son.
Cameron said that June and Odin also make trips to hospitals, memory care facilities and public libraries. She is currently preparing to bring the dogs to work at the Drake Community Library here in Grinnell. “We just kind of go where the need is needed,” said Cameron.
Anne Wilber `27, who heard about the event from a poster outside the College Dining Hall, said that it was her second time visiting the dogs after taking an exam. “I really miss my dog from home,” said Wilber. “The stress relief that my own dog brings me is kind of replaced by this, in a way. We don’t have that much access to cute, fuzzy creatures here.”
Dog Training Elite’s last stop in Grinnell will take place from 4-5 p.m on Dec. 4 in the HSSC atrium.
