Chaise Schrecengost’s dog Jack follows her almost everywhere. Although people ask her why a dog is in buildings or on the bus with her, she has an easy explanation for the reason: Jack is her therapy dog.

“People ask me why I have a dog with me, but I’m always prepared for the situation,” Schrecengost, a junior biology major at the University of Pittsburgh who previously attended Point Park her freshman year, said.

Schrecengost is diagnosed with anxiety, which can have an effect on her mental health and her overall school work. Pets such as Jack are certified therapy animals that are able to help people with mental health issues by providing security and comfort to their owners.

Adrianna Hessom, sophomore screenwriting major, lives in Conestoga with three roommates and her therapy cat, Williams. Max Namey, sophomore forensic science major and Hessom’s roommate said that having Williams around is beneficial for himself, and even friends who come to visit.

“Having him around is relaxing and makes you feel more at home,” Namey said. “Just him being there, he has a safe presence, and it really takes some stress away.”

Namey, who considers himself a cat person, said that Hessom had to get permission from a therapist, saying that having an animal around would help with an existing mental health condition. Schrecengost had to go through a similar process.

PK Weston, a composition English professor, has been involved in training therapy dogs since she was younger. She now takes dogs through the necessary training and certification processes and helps them work with people who are in need of comfort.

“You’ve got to have a dog that is very steady,” Weston said. “Dogs have to be very disciplined and very temperamental.”

Weston said that she and her dogs have been tested by Therapy Dogs International, a volunteer organization dedicated to therapy dogs and their handlers, in order to get certified to work with people who have mental health issues. She also works with people in hospice care, bringing her golden retrievers in to comfort people in need. She recalled a particularly memorable experience when one of her dogs approached a stroke victim who could barely move. One of her golden retrievers, Daisy, approached the victim who wore gloves to protect his hands. When the victim took off his gloves, he started petting the dog, to the surprise of Weston.

Weston said that this is one of the reasons she continues to work with dogs, besides her love for the animals.

Junior creative writing major Elizabeth Anderson shares the same passion, as she helps raise service dogs at Susquehanna Service Dogs.

“I help the puppies practice with stimuli and go through training to get them ready,” Anderson said.

Weston and Anderson both said that the love of animals makes them want to continue helping with therapy animals.

“Working with puppies is always a plus, and knowing that I’m helping people is a good feeling,” Anderson said.

Schrecengost also said that she loves animals, thinking of Jack as her best friend, as he has been with her family since he was a three month old puppy, and he will be five years old in January. She said that Jack gives her the motivation to get out of bed every day and do her best to keep him happy and healthy, which in turn, makes her feel happy and healthy.

“I love animals. I have a hamster and two fish, but he really is my best friend,” Schrecengost said about her dog.