Schoolcraft College in Livonia is enlisting public help to name a quintet of furry new additions set to join its campus as emotional comfort dogs. The five Labrador puppies, currently under training at Lucky Labs in Ontario, are primed to take on the role of comfort companions for students and staff grappling with the stresses of academic life. The college president, Glenn Cerny, commented on the expected impact of the dogs, stating, "These new comfort dogs will serve a vital role here at Schoolcraft College when they arrive. Their presence will bring smiles to faces and help our students and staff take a moment to simply recharge and rejuvenate with fun-loving energy that only a dog can bring," in a statement to CBS Detroit.
Voting for the names kicked off Tuesday morning, with the public able to cast their votes on the college's Instagram page, @schoolcraftnow. Up for consideration are names like Lottie, Copper, and Maple among others. The polls, open for 24 hours, aim to choose the most fitting monikers for these soon-to-be campus regulars. The breeds' famed temperament makes Labradors an ideal match to effectively aid students looking to alleviate stress, especially during critical times like finals week. The Schoolcraft College Foundation has generously footed the $50,000 bill for the purchase and training of the team, as reported by Hometownlife.
These comfort dogs are expected to become a staple across Schoolcraft's campus and they are set to live with officers from the Schoolcraft College Police Department. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to provide emotional support but also to foster relationships between law enforcement and the campus community. The versatile canines will be stationed at various campus locations, including the admissions office, library, and the college president's office, as well as making rounds to events and classrooms. Dr. Cerny expressed his optimism about the initiative, claiming it would bring people joy and foster a more welcoming feeling on campus, according to an interview with Hometownlife.
Once the dogs reach their first birthdays, they are set to receive further therapy dog training and certification, at which point they will become fully integrated into the campus community. Psychology professor and faculty liaison to the Campus Comfort Companion program, Colleen Pilgrim, explained that each officer will be paired with a staff or faculty handler, who will coordinate additional comfort dog interactions. “Each dog will be assigned to a Schoolcraft College police officer who is responsible for their care on campus and in their home each night,” Pilgrim said in a statement shared by the college.
