Photo by Marilyn Hesler
Need to de-stress this finals week? How about spending some time with a 102-pound, want-to-be lap dog? There’s also a fluffy Alaskan Malamute who loves to be smothered with hugs or everyone’s favorite Goldendoodle.
These friendly, furry campus visitors are part of the Deborah A. Barnes Pet Therapy Program, which partners with community organizations to offer pet therapy opportunities throughout the semester, especially during finals. Don’t miss your chance over the next week to snuggle with one of these furry friends in the Walters Pet Therapy Room in The Barnes Center at The Arch.
SU News caught up with three of the therapy dogs that frequent the University—Bella, Samuel and Clayton—and their owners to learn a little more about each.
Bella and Stepien at a Syracuse Mets game (Photo courtesy of Sue Stepien)
Bella
Bella is a 102-pound Bernese Mountain dog who just celebrated her sixth birthday this past Saturday. This is the second year that Bella and her owner, Sue Stepien, have been part of Pet Partners of CNY—a nationally recognized therapy animal program serving Central New York—and have been visiting the University.
Bella, who thinks she is a lap dog despite her size, is so smart that she knows when it is time to head out into the community in the afternoons. The pair not only visit the University but also the local hospitals and schools.
“We love to get out and meet new people,” Stepien says. “The students especially, they love to chat about their pets back home.”
Not only will you see Bella in the Walters Pet Therapy Room, but you may also see her at various special events on campus.
Samuel
Samuel and Raterman at the Teal Ribbon Walk. The pair participated in honor of Raterman’s grandmother, who passed away from ovarian cancer. Samuel has been asked to lead the walk this coming year. (Photo courtesy of Kim Raterman)
Samuel is a 90-pound Alaskan Malamute who recently turned four. He and his owner, Kim Raterman, work as a team to facilitate their mission of bringing health and happiness to all.
Raterman, a certified health coach, uses pet therapy as part of her practice since it aids in reducing stress and improving moods. The pair has also been with Pet Partners of CNY for two years.
Not only do they visit the University, but they also visit other schools and adult day centers and participate in wellness events, including walks in the community. However, visiting the University holds a special meaning to them.
“The students’ faces light up immediately when they see Samuel,” Raterman says. “I love to watch his body language when we are at an event. He has the ability to pick out the person in a group who needs him the most, even when they might not be aware of how much they need him. It’s beautiful to watch.”
You can follow the adventures of Samuel on his Instagram.
Clayton
Last, but certainly not least, is Clayton. He is an 8-year-old Goldendoodle who has been visiting the University through the Pet Partners program for seven years. You may have seen his cute face before as he is often featured in promotional ads for the University’s pet therapy program.
What is unique about Clayton? There are five members of the Vescio family who are all certified to go out in the community with him. How did this all start? Pet Partners of CNY had a recruiting table in one of the local pet stores, and while at the time Clayton was too young, once he became a year old and was eligible, Nick Vescio, his wife, daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter all became certified. The family works together to attend events all over the community but says the University is their favorite.
“We love engaging with the students and making genuine connections with them,” Vescio says. “They will sit down and talk about their dogs and show us pictures and they like to look at a photo album we carry with us with pictures of Clayton since he was a pup.”
The Vescio family with Clayton (Photo courtesy of Nick Vescio)