Lily and her Handlers have had the privilege of going to the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine on several occasions this spring. This amazing experience came about because the Wellness Committee had learned about the comfort and stress relief a dog brings to humans, and they wanted to bring this comfort to their own students. Medical School is highly competitive, and the stress is very high. The Wellness Committee was hoping to alleviate some of this stress by having Lily visit during exam weeks.
As we were there with Lily, here are some of the things we heard! (Please note everyone gets down on the floor and strokes, pets, cuddles, kisses, massages, and loves on Lily)
What you hear when a dog is on campus.
“A puppy!!! Can I take her with me to study?”
“Oh, I miss my dog/cat.”
“She’s so soft.”
“Does she know how happy she makes us?” (I think she does…we certainly do.)
“I am going to schedule my study breaks so I can come and see her.”
“Where’s everyone going?” “There’s s dog here.”
“I want a dog.”
“I need some puppy love.”
“I want a dog so badly, but I can hardly take care of myself right now.” (We are praying for you.”
“Oh, look at her eyes. She’s so cute.”
“I need to learn to be calm like her. I get so nervous before an exam.”
“That dog is stress free.” (She is!)
“Maybe if we lay on the floor we will be calm, too. Let’s try it.” And they proceeded to lay down on the floor like Lily.
“I’ll be back after my exam. I’ll need a puppy hug then, too.”
“She gets so much love…and she gives so much love.”
“Can you be here every day?”
“OK, Lily…here I come!”
“Do you know the blessings you bring to everyone?”
We do have an idea about the blessings we bring to everyone, and that’s why we do what we do. It is so amazing to make friends and see the joy and comfort Lily brings to everyone she meets, from the littlest babies, to the children learning to read, to the students on campus, to the elderly who are lonely and miss their own pets and families.
Leave a Reply