Dog Tales returns for residence hall stress relief

Petting a dog can be an easy way to relieve stress.

And during exam week, most students will need to relieve as much stress as they can.

Dog Tales Founder and Coordinator Betty Lewis will bring her dogs to visit Larzelere, Calkins, Campbell, Beddow, Trout, Robinson, Wheeler and Kessler halls Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

“It helps them unwind so they can go back to study,” Lewis said.

Around eight handlers and their dogs will visit, and students can spend as much time as they need with them.

Dog Tales is a nonprofit organization that uses therapeutic dogs to help children read. Lewis founded the group in 2005 and each dog must undergo testing before certification.

“It’s like a basic obedience class,” Lewis said about the dogs’ training. “You have to be able to have them stay and then call them.”

Dogs learn basic commands such as sit, lay down and stay. Lewis said dogs can reduce stress and blood pressure by 50 percent.

All breeds can certify for therapy. The dogs must have a friendly manner with all handlers and a ‘meet and greet’ activity tests the dog’s interaction with other handlers during training.

“We walk them around through a bunch of people,” Lewis said. “The dog can’t panic, it shows they will be alright with other people.”

She said temperament and obedience are important qualities in a therapy dog.

“If they are too frightened of the equipment, then they won’t give a good visit,” Lewis said.

She said the dogs must be comfortable around wheelchairs or walkers in nursing homes.

An examiner pets the dog’s ears, eyes, nose and back. Lewis evaluates dogs for Therapy Dogs International. Dog Tales visited Merrill Hall during last semester’s finals.

Commerce Township freshman Mckenzie McDougall participated last year and said her favorite dog was a chocolate labrador.

“It was definitely a good break from finals,” McDougall said.

Several students look forward to spending more time with the dogs.

“They were really cute,” said Warren freshman Dana Deboer. “They were friendly and loving with everyone.”

The group also works with Special Olympics, in classrooms and with the day care in the Education and Human Services Building.

Lewis said bringing the dogs to campus is an easier job than the other places they visit, especially the day care.

“Children make fast quick movements,” Lewis said. “Students are gentle and caring and treat them really well, so they really enjoy it.”