Therapy Dogs at Waldo Library
Take a break from studying and spend time with therapy dogs at Waldo Library! During the academic year, Western Michigan University Libraries hosts therapy dog visits where students can relax, recharge and connect with certified therapy dogs and their handlers.
When are therapy dog visits held?
Therapy dog visits take place throughout the academic year, especially during busy times such as midterms and finals week. Visits may also be part of special campus and library programs.
Check the WMU Libraries events calendar for upcoming visits and event details.
What happens during a visit?
Stop by during a visit to meet the dogs and their handlers and take a relaxing break between classes or study sessions. Visits are informal and take place in public areas of Waldo Library.
Our community partners
WMU Libraries is grateful to the certified therapy dog teams who volunteer their time to support student well-being.
We work with the WMU Therapy Dog Clinic, coordinated by Dr. Angie Moe, professor of sociology at Western. This partnership connects the Libraries with therapy dog teams and supports opportunities for training and socialization.
WMU Libraries welcomes certified therapy dog teams interested in supporting student well-being through library events and programming. Review the following requirements and expectations before volunteering.
Policies and requirements
All therapy dog visits must comply with the University's Animals on Campus Policy. WMU Libraries has approval from the Vice President for Student Affairs for therapy dog visits, provided the dog's current certification and required insurance documentation are on file with the Libraries.
Before a team participates in an event, the following requirements must be met:
- Provide current proof of certification for the dog and handler.
- Provide proof of insurance. For teams certified through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, certification documentation also serves as proof of insurance.
- Complete a 30-minute walkthrough of the library with the handler, dog and designated library contact.
The Libraries' Business Manager maintains copies of the required documentation.
Expectations for therapy dog teams
Therapy dog visits can be busy and demanding. To help ensure a positive experience for everyone:
- Plan for recovery time. Please don't schedule your dog for other events the day before or the day after a library visit.
- Limit handlers. If two handlers are certified for the same dog, only one should attend the event.
- Start with a one-hour visit. A team's first session with the Libraries will be limited to one hour.
- Volunteer your time. Therapy dog teams participate on a volunteer basis and are not reimbursed.
- Maintain appropriate behavior. Barking, jumping and other disruptive behavior are not permitted.
- Respect study spaces. Don't approach or disturb students working at computers or studying in quiet areas, as some may be taking exams.
Is Waldo Library a good fit for your dog?
Therapy dog visits take place in open, high-traffic areas and involve frequent interactions with students. A typical two-hour event welcomes approximately 60–80 individual visitors, with attendance sometimes reaching 100. There may be five to 10 students gathered around a dog at any one time.
Before volunteering, consider:
- Is your dog comfortable around large numbers of people and frequent interactions?
- Does your dog work well around other therapy dogs, or would an individual time slot be a better fit?
- How often does your dog need breaks?
- How long can your dog comfortably participate in an event?
The comfort, safety and well-being of students, dogs and handlers are priorities at every event.
Interested in volunteering?
Certified therapy dog teams, including those new to WMU Libraries, are welcome to inquire about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.
Contact:
Megan Brown
(269) 387-5206
@email