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Feeling Fur Foils Finals Failure

December 03, 2012 • Rescue

Think back to your school days. Those mid terms and finals would have been a lot easier, or at least less stressful, if FIDO had been there to provide moral support!  There's nothing feeling fur to calm a nervous student between final exams.

This Wednesday and Thursday "Pet Assisted Therapy" dogs and volunteers from Rancho Coastal Humane Society will join other pet therapy programs at Mira Costa College and Cal State San Marcos to provide some "fur therapy" between classes.

Encinitas, CA -- "Feelin' Fur" could help students survive their final exams at the Mira Costa College - San Elijo campus in Encinitas and California State University - San Marcos this week. Trained "Love on a Leash" therapy dogs from Rancho Coastal Humane Society's "Pet Assisted Therapy" program will be at Mira Costa from 10 to 2 on Wednesday the 5th and at CSUSM on Thursday the 6th to give students some fur therapy.


Dogs and handlers who participate in the "Pet Assisted Therapy" program at Rancho Coastal Humane Society in Encinitas will be among those taking part in the "Pause for Paws" events.


RCHS spokesman John Van Zante says, "Animals have a calming effect on us. When we pet a dog, our blood pressure drops. It promotes learning in younger people and improves memory for older people."


Van Zante, who is also a college instructor, has seen it first-hand. "These students are so deep into their thoughts that they can hardly find their classrooms. They don't talk. They bump into things. But when they pet a dog it gives them a mental break before their next test. That may be the difference between passing or failing."


Volunteer Manager Mary Pilon explains, "RCHS is an official chapter of the Love on a Leash Foundation for Pet-Provided Therapy. All pets must pass an initial evaluation provided by Love on a Leash. Dogs must also successfully complete a six-week training course that will provide them and their handlers with the skills they need to take part in PAT."


The San Elijo campus of Mira Coast College is at 3333 Manchester Avenue in Cardiff by the Sea. Students can find the PAT dog on the lawn area behind the library. Cal State San Marcos is at 333 South Twin Oaks Valley Road in San Marcos. The dogs will be available for four-pawed therapy on the Library terrace.

For more information about the Pet Assisted Therapy program visit RCHS at 389 Requeza Street in Encinitas, call 760-753-6413, or log on to www.sdpets.org

 

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