Therapy dog program

Our therapy dogs missed you! Spend some time with our friendly therapy dogs at the Wellness Lounge – it’s a great way to de-stress from your busy student schedule.

The Therapy Dog program is made available at the University of Ottawa through the department of Health Promotion, in partnership with Ottawa Therapy Dogs and other local therapy dog organizations.

What to expect from a therapy dog session

Therapy dogs can have a beneficial impact on both mental and physical health. Studies have shown that a friendly interaction with an animal (e.g., petting) helps lower blood pressure, reduce overall pain and ease feelings of loneliness, anxiety and depression. Therapy dogs can also help you cope with homesickness while away at university.
Therapy dogs are not service dogs. Therapy dogs successfully complete an evaluation, along with their owner, to ensure they are suitable to take part in session on campus and help improve your wellness. Therapy dogs volunteer with their owner to offer animal-assisted therapy to many people. Apart from visits on campus, they also volunteer at many other health care and social service settings.
Therapy dog sessions take place in a controlled, safe environment to ensure the safety of all participants and therapy dog teams.

Schedule

Therapy Dog Program is offered at 3 different locations: the Student Wellness Lounge (UCU 205), the Student Health and Wellness Centre and the 90U Wellness Lounge. Registration is required for the sessions taking place at the UCU Wellness Lounge and at the Student Health and Wellness Centre. Check out fall 2024 schedule for each location!

Reserve your spot.

Interested in having a session at your faculty/service?

We are currently not accommodating private bookings for therapy dog sessions. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.

Meet the dogs

Uzi

Breed: Goldendoodle mix

Organization: St. John’s Ambulance

Fun Fact: and I’m a five-year-old purebred mutt (others have called me a goldendoodle). I was rescued by my mom at 14 weeks, and she says it was one of the best decisions she’s ever made. I mean, really, just look at this face! I passed my emotional support animal designation in the fall of 2019. I’m so happy to get hugs and belly rubs and make other people feel better. My favourite foods are French fries with pita bread and puppuccinos (a.k.a. straight-up whipped cream) from coffee shops.

Fergus and Sam

Breed: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Organization: Therapeutic Paws of Canada

Fun Facts: We are Fergus and Sam, the cutest Cavalier King Charles Spaniels on campus! We love running through the woods and sniffing every interesting scent we encounter.

Sam loves playing fetch, tug of war, and veggie treats. Fergus is free-spirited, energetic, and is interested in everything around him. He loves popping bubbles that students blow for him!

Keaton

Breed: Miniature Poodle

Organization: Ottawa Therapy Dogs

Fun Facts: His official name is ‘Subria Silent is Golden’ but you can call him Keaton after Buster Keaton, the famous silent film star. He is 11 years old and has been working as a therapy dog since he was 3! When Keaton isn’t volunteering with OTD, you can catch him playing frisbee or keeping guard on the front door looking for the next person to play with! He likes to think of himself as being empathetic, attentive, and athletic, and is a big lover of cheese and broccoli stems!

Macy

Breed: Goldendoodle

Organization: Ottawa Therapy Dogs

Fun Facts: As a miniature golden doodle, Macy may look tiny but she sure makes a big splash! Her absolute favourite activity in the summer is to go diving off a dock at full-speed, or to hop on the back of the 4-wheeler for a ride as soon as she hears the engine roar. When winter rolls around she loves playing fetch with her pink ball that she had since she was a puppy, or to frolic in freshly fallen snow. As one of the newest volunteers with OTD, her ‘paw-rents’ are excited that she has a second job in addition to making sure the yard is clear of all squirrels!

Harley

Breed: Retriever mix

Organization: Ottawa Therapy Dogs

Fun Facts: Contrary to popular belief, Harley is a ‘she’ but her name is still up for family debate! Although most of her family members believe her name is simply ‘Harley’, her mom insists that it is ‘Harley-Quinn’ (which Harley agrees makes her sound much more distinguished). Although Harley may look tough when chasing squirrels, she fears thunder and lightning storms. She also thoroughly enjoys a great piece of cheese!

Pierre

Breed: Poodle mix

Organization: Ottawa Therapy Dogs

Fun Facts: Hola! Pierre is proudly bilingual, with his first language being Spanish. As a rescue from the streets of Mexico, he was thrilled to find his ‘furever’ home in Canada with his 3 human siblings. His favourite part of the day is bedtime when he says goodnight to each of them in exchange for a cookie. You will know he’s excited when he starts running around in circles, especially when he’s heading out for a car ride!

Prima

Breed: Golden Poodle mix

Organization: Ottawa Therapy Dogs

Fun Facts: Prima may be the only pup in the family, but she has a crew of 5 (yes, 5!) cat siblings who adore her! When she isn’t busy eating peanut butter, you can find Prima walking with her fellow golden doodle best friend, Haley, who hangs out with her when she needs a break from the cats (but don’t tell them that). She’s been a therapy dog with Ottawa Therapy Dogs for 4 years and is already wagging her tail to meet the students at U of O!

Neil

Breed: English Springer Spaniel

Organization: Ottawa Therapy Dogs

Fun Facts: Neil is a 9-year-old English Springer Spaniel. He is athletic and friendly and has many dog and human friends (and he is even on civil terms with a couple of cats). His favourite activities include taking his daily walk, snoozing, jumping off the dock at the family cottage, riding in the front of the family boat, hiking, and enjoying dog biscuits and liver treats. He also loves to have his belly rubbed and his ears scratched.

Artemis

Organization: Ottawa Therapy Dogs

Fun Facts: Artemis is 9 years old and is taking after her dad Darcy who was also an Ottawa Therapy Dog. Artemis is a mostly retired show dog who loves to play fetch, do tricks and cuddle on the couch. Her favourite treat is a Tim Horton's old fashion plain timbit!

Becoming certified with a Therapy Dog program

Are you interested in becoming a certified therapy dog team? If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected].

Learn more about therapy dog certifications

Date	Heure
January 11^th	1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
January 18^th	1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
January 25^th	1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
February 1^st	1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
February 8^th	1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
February 15^th	1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
February 22^nd(reading week)	1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
March 7^th	1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
March 14^th	1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
March 21^st	1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
March 28^th	1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
April 4^th	1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
April 11^th(exam)	1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Date	Time
January 31^st	1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
February 28^th	1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
March 27^th	1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Date	Time
January 17^th	11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Tuesday, January 23^rd	11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
January 31^st	11 a.m. to 12 p.m
February 7^th	11 a.m. to 12 p.m
February 14^th	11 a.m. to 12 p.m
February 21^st	11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
February 28^th	11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
March 6^th	11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
March 13^th	11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
March 20^th	11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
March 27^th	11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
April 3^rd	11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
April 10^th	11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

What to expect from a therapy dog session

Schedule

UCU Wellness Lounge arrow_drop_down

Student Health and Wellness Centre arrow_drop_down

90U Wellness Lounge arrow_drop_down

Interested in having a session at your faculty/service?

Meet the dogs

Becoming certified with a Therapy Dog program