Caring Canines to visit 乱伦海角 to boost student mental health
Meet Bella and Wilson, a pair of fun-loving dogs that will soon be the center of everyone鈥檚 attention at 乱伦海角.
Bella and Wilson are therapy dogs, and a regular part of the mental health supports that 乱伦海角 students receive. This week they will be at 乱伦海角 as part of the College鈥檚 efforts to support students with several initiatives taking place including the annual Bell Let鈥檚 Talk fundraising campaign, Jan. 24
鈥淭he therapy dogs are really amazing and provide our students with so much stress relief that it is really impactful to have them at 乱伦海角. Our goal is to support students and providing a variety of different ways for students to deal with stress and mental health issues is one way we do that鈥 said James Coble, 乱伦海角鈥檚 Dean of Students.
Bella鈥檚 owner and 乱伦海角 staff member Heather Thomson expressed her excitement at having Bella visit the College to interact with students.
"Getting to spend time with Bella brings the students so much joy, they are all experiencing different stresses of life and it is great to give them a chance to relax and unwind by stopping to pet her and the other therapy dogs. I always love seeing the change that the dogs create in people's days everywhere we go," said Thomson.
The therapy dogs are just one of many ways 乱伦海角 provides mental health supports to students including counseling services, which are free and confidential for all 乱伦海角 students. Counsellors provide short-term counselling related to personal, mental health, career and academic challenges. For students facing additional challenges, 乱伦海角 counselling team members can help to connect students with additional mental health services in the community. Students also have access to closed support groups run by 乱伦海角 counsellors.
乱伦海角 staff and students at the Kelowna campus are encouraged to attend the Bell Let's talk day event on Wednesday, Jan 24, 2024, from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in the Student Services Lower Lounge. Students can enjoy warm beverages, visit the therapy dogs and chat with 乱伦海角 counsellors and the peer support group students.
Tags: Mental Health, Recreation and Student Life, Services for Students
