Rufus, therapy dog in training

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Issue 11, Roani Whent, Campus Life - By Roani Whent on Thursday, November 18, 2010 - 04:26

If there was something we would have loved to have packed and brought to our dorms it would have been our pets. Some of our pets have been with us since our childhood and others maybe birthday gifts but nonetheless, pets are an important part of our lives. However, there are some pets on campus that might help cope with pet bereavement.

Rufus the doofus dog, a black Labrador, was found in Riverside in a terrible condition and has hearing loss from lack of care. Rufus is under the care of Accommodation Coordinator Carole Metzinger from Disability Services. “Rufus has a vigorous temperament, he is a little fearful and is a gentle soul,” Metzinger said.

According to Metzinger he is not the smartest dog or the most coordinated but that is beside the point because the six-year old Labrador has made a smooth recovery and he has almost figured put where to sit to go for car ride.

During his visits on campus Rufus had the company of faculty and students. “Since I have two dogs back home I was relieved to see Rufus. I am sure he is qualified to be a therapy dog,” first-year Patrick Norton said.

“Rufus can help students to destress, especially for students who live on campus that don’t get a chance to see their pets,” first-year Sarah Elliot said. Rufus is currently training to become a certified therapy dog. He will need to pass the K-9 good citizen test in order to get certified. “The therapy dogs are becoming more acceptable in health care sections,” Metzinger said.

Rufus is not the only dog on campus; there are professors who bring their pets on campus as well. For example, Winston and Tucker, Genevieve Shaul Connick Professor of Religious Studies Joseph Price’s dogs. Price recounts a story of how Winston gave dog therapy to students affected by a system crash during fall registration three years ago. According to Price, “Pets provide companionship and a good opportunity to exercise responsibility.”

Once Rufus is certified as a therapy dog he will be able to visit libraries, individual’s homes and hospitals.