This fall, Niagara College students who walk into the Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services (HWAS) office at the Welland Campus on Monday’s and Wednesday’s will see a friendly new face with four legs and a wagging tail.
Teddy, an Australian Shepherd, Blue Heeler mix and Certified Therapy Dog, has joined the HWAS team to help students manage stress and have a more pawsitive student experience. Studies have demonstrated the benefits that therapy animals provide to students to help with stress reduction and an improved sense of calm and well-being.
Teddy’s owner is NC’s own Michelle MacIntosh, Counsellor in HWAS. After celebrating his first birthday and earning his certification, Teddy spent the summer at MacIntosh’s side in the office to become more familiar with his new workplace.
Michelle MacIntosh and Teddy.
“Teddy is joyful and energetic. He loves walking the halls at NC and greeting students and staff,” said MacIntosh. “When I say, ‘let’s go to work,’ Teddy runs to the front door and dances around until I leash him.”
As NC’s resident therapy dog, Teddy’s job is to provide comfort and connection to students, be it in counselling sessions or around campus.
“When students pet and connect with Teddy in the halls, it often gives me time to connect the with them and introduce the HWAS office and do psycho-educational teachings on stress management, study tips, homesickness and anything else students want to talk about,” she said.
The College’s new canine will be on campus twice weekly on Monday and Wednesday in counselling sessions with MacIntosh, and on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. in the Wellness Lounge as part of Wellness Peers programming.
Teddy won’t be the first canine on campus. NC has welcomed therapy dogs from the Therapy Tails program many times over the years. While pets, apart from service animals, are not permitted at NC’s campuses, Teddy will be identifiable with a branded NC vest, and signage outside of the HWAS office and the Wellness Lounge will indicate to students that Teddy is visiting.
Follow Teddy’s adventures @theaussietherapydog and the NC Wellness Instagram @wellnessnc.
Wellness Peer program returns to in-person delivery
Mark your calendars! Teddy will be in the Wellness Lounge at the Welland Campus on Wednesday’s at 12:30 p.m.
Teddy is a welcome addition to Wellness Peers programming which has returned to in-person delivery. The program – a collaboration with NCSAC and Wise Guys Charity Fund to spark supportive conversations – launched in February 2020 and operated in-person for just three weeks before shifting online during the pandemic.
While remote options (phone and video call) will continue to be available, the student volunteers are excited to host a variety of interactive events and workshops in the Wellness Lounge to promote student self-care.
The student staff completed training this support to provide support to their peers via active listening, empathy, and campus and community referrals. The Wellness Peers will work collaboratively and in an integrated way with HWAS. Counsellors are now trained to sign ‘social prescriptions’ which could refer students to engage with a Wellness Peer for a variety of support.
HWAS stepped care delivery model continues
This fall, HWAS’s stepped care service delivery model – launched in November 2021 – will continue, and the College has invested in a Triage Coordinator at both campuses.
Their work on a Student Mental Health Framework continues and will link to the ‘wholistic student experience’ focus area in NC’s Strategic Plan.
Meditation Mondays beginning in September
HWAS, in collaboration with Athletics, will host weekly, in-person Meditation Mondays at the Welland Campus in A205 (upstairs in the fitness centre) from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. The sessions will be led by NC’s Michelle MacIntosh. All students and employees are welcome. Mindful meditation is a great way to start each week and can help reduce stress and anxiety, increase calmness and relaxation, improve concentration, physical and psychological well-being.
