Therapy dogs teach children to cope
SLIPPERY ROCK — The Slippery Rock Community Library welcomed students from Slippery Rock University's Master of Social Work program and a few furry friends on Monday night.
Three therapy dogs and their handlers from the Alliance of Therapy Dogs teamed up with the students to teach community children how to cope with difficult situations like loss, divorce and crisis.
The 'Furry Friends' event was organized by the master's students as part of a final project for their degree. Dr. Yvonne Eaton-Stull, the master's program director, said the project serves as workforce preparation for her students.
“There's lots of research on the benefits of dog-assisted therapy,” Eaton-Stull said. “It decreases anxiety, helps speed recovery for heart patients, and they assist in crisis recovery.”
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