4 Dogs, 1 Cat and Lots of UWM Students

Students have lined up from all different directions to participate in the Dog De-Stress Therapy event at Learning Commons at Golda Meir Library. A cat by the name of Juliet was able to make an appearance to bring students a relaxing break from studying for exams, finishing projects and all the other stresses life brings to a college student.

“Puppies make me so happy,” says UWM sophomore Katie Boutell, as she patiently stands in line for a chance to meet Hunter, a white mixed Lab who has been a therapy dog since April 2014. His handler Pam Millington, greets each group of people as they approach to give Hunter their undivided attention and affection.

Health Heelers, an organization striving to unite people and pets together to aid healing, does not just stop at campus visits; they continue to spread this service to hospice patients and nursing homes. The process of becoming a certified team isn’t solely on the dog, but on the handler as well.

“You get graded both together,” said Millington. “So the dog will go through basic obedience evaluation and do some hard tasks like walking past a treat without out getting distracted. And the handler needs to always be aware making sure the dog is comfortable and not stressed.” She speaks calmly as she escorts Hunter to some grass for some fresh air and a potty break.

Inside the library, there is one person to thank for bringing the gentle furry friends to UWM, and that would be Health Heelers Founder Laura Hey. An alumnus from UWM, she started the organization as an entrepreneurial move with her extensive background in occupational therapy. Alongside her degree in animal assistance therapy, she turned it all into a business that is benefiting the ill, disabled and flat-out stressed human beings.

Health Heelers was also created by the help of Pet Partners, a national nonprofit organization registering handlers of multiple species as volunteer teams providing Animal-Assisted Interactions. Through registering and being certified, Health Heelers has registered and certified 45 dogs and four cats.

The floor still buzzes with excitement. The interaction between the animals and the students has visually changed by the instant boost of relaxation in exchange for looks of admiration. It’s hard to see this as a normal day’s work for dogs like Colin, Luxe, Bailey Rose and Hunter but they are actually doing more for humans then they know.

“Science is starting to identify the bond and healing of people with animals,” says Hey. “We can get calm, our heart rate decreases and we actually become relaxed and that is the reason for this process of having animal therapy to de-stress whether it be for exams or finals and emotional support.”