Unconditional love
The Therapy Dog Clinic was established in August 2022, after the presence of therapy dogs within the facility, primarily as part of the Children’s Trauma Assessment Center and Resiliency Center for Families and Children, showed research-based efficacy. The clinic is focused on facilitating high-quality animal-assisted interventions throughout WMU and the community.
Therapy dogs have been trained to provide emotional support which positively impacts emotional functioning and communication skills. In short, their job is to help people feel better. Research has shown that therapy dogs can be a calm and supportive presence in unknown or stressful situations. If you want to learn more about what dog therapy entails, please read this article.
Meet Sunny
Sunny is a 10 year old Golden Retriever and weighs about 85 pounds. He has worked as a therapy dog for 9 years and is registered through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Sunny holds Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dog Supreme titles through the American Kennel Club, and has advanced certification through HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response. He has paved the way for many other therapy dogs across campus and deployed nationally to disasters and crises.
Meet Poppy
Poppy is a 6 year old Newfypoo (Newfoundland + Poodle) and weighs 100 pounds. She is registered through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs and holds Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dog Excellence titles through the American Kennel Club. She also has advanced certification through HOPE Animal Assisted Crisis Response. Poppy is low shedding and may be considered hypoallergenic.
Meet Mocha
Mocha Bean Puppachino (aka Mocha) is a 1 year old Poodle-mix and weights 60 pounds. She is registered through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs and holds Canine Good Citizen and STAR Puppy titles through the American Kennel Club. Mocha is non-shedding and may be considered hypoallergenic.
In Loving Memory of Oreo
Oreo (2019-2025) was a beloved member of our therapy dog team. He brought joy, comfort, and healing to countless individuals, leaving an indelible mark on everyone he met. Oreo was diagnosed with lymphoma in early 2025 and succumbed to it in late March. He is fondly remembered for his gentle spirit and unwavering dedication to many, especially young children, and is deeply missed.
The Therapy Dog Clinic is the only such service in the greater community that has dogs as a permanent fixture within a healthcare facility. Currently, we work across Kalamazoo, Calhoun and Van Buren Counties specializing in children/youth, particularly those who have experienced trauma.
Our Services
The Therapy Dog Clinic provides the following services in the community.
- Individual therapy and group support in (primarily youth-based) mental health, occupational, and speech therapy
- Training and evaluation through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs and the Association for Animal Assisted Intervention Professions [Therapy Animals in Schools, Clinics, and Offices | AAAIP]
- University coursework, continuing education, and clinical supervision
- Community engagement with the Therapy Dog Clinic team members, as feasible
Trainings and Events
Click here for our upcoming trainings and events.
About the Director
Dr. Angie Moe is a professor of sociology at Western Michigan University with specializations in interpersonal victimization and trauma. She started working with therapy dogs in 2016 as an extension of these interests. Having recently certified her fourt therpay dog, Dr. Moe has thousands of hours of therapy and crisis response handling experience. She is certified through the Council of Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT-KA), and an evaluator for the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Association from Animal Assisted Intervention Professionals, and the American Kennel Club. She has thousands of hours of therapy dog handling experience. She, along with Sunny and Poppy hold advanced credentializing from HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response, for which she also serves on the national Board of Directors. Dr. Moe has completed Level 1 Animal Assisted Play Therapy® Training and is a facilitator for CISM (critical incident stress management).
Location
We are located inside the Unified Clinics building, located on the 4th floor of 1000 Oakland Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49008.
Contact Information
If you are interested in learning more, please contact Dr. Angie Moe at (269) 387-7042 or email uc-therapydogs@wmich.edu .
Giving
If you are interested in making a gift to the Therapy Dog Clinic, please visit here or check out our Amazon wish list. Donations can be put toward supplies regularly used by the therapy dogs (training treats, enrichment toys), items provided to our clients (stuffed animals, coloring books, stickers, fidgets), or scholarships for students, educators, and human service providers who wish to advance their training. Thank you for your consideration.
Resources
Click here for our resource page.
News
WMU using therapy dogs to help children experiencing trauma
Therapy Dogs Visit Senior Day Services
