By BEN COOK
BGSU Student Contributor
Beloved Campus Newfoundland Bennington George – also known as Benny – with handler Carol Treece celebrated his 100th campus this semester visit.
On Oct. 19, the BGSU PAWS Team announced this day marked Benny and Carol’s 100th on-campus therapy dog visit. Benny has a reputation as being the big dog with an even bigger heart and has become BGSU’s favorite Newfie – seen posing with Freddie Falcon, SICSIC, and even President Rodney Rogers.
Before the BGSU PAWS Team was developed last spring through the Wellness Connection, Benny and Treece had already visited nearly 30 times prior at less-consistent intervals in order to support students struggling with their mental health on campus. Benny earned his therapy dog certification through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs on Aug. 24 2019 and their first campus visit was on Sept. 12 2019 during BGSU’s Homecoming event.
Leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, Benny made weekly visits to the Mauer Cancer Center at the Wood County Hospital and would make occasional visits to campus sites. Once the pandemic hit, the duo took a break as social restrictions took place, but they bounced back on April 21 2021.
At this time, the BGSU PAWS Team was founded and looking for therapy dogs and handlers to make consistent visits on campus to support students’ health and wellness.
Benny’s first BGSU PAWS Team visit also marked his 30th visit to the university, as restrictions on social interactions began to loosen and small social gatherings were permitted once again.
Seventy visits later, Benny and the BGSU PAWS Team have both gained the love and support of the local community. Treece said she is happy to be a pillar of support for the students at BGSU and to be a member of the BGSU PAWS Team. “The BGSU PAWS Team has opened up many opportunities for Benny and I, as well as for other therapy dogs and handlers in the community. COVID-19 initially prevented us from reaching our 100th visit, but in the end we were presented with new and exciting opportunities.”
Ashley Hartman, health educator and co-advisor of the Friends of the PAWS team, said she is impressed by the enthusiasm the BGSU PAWS Team has been met with since its establishment. She believes that none of this would be possible without the cooperation of these therapy dogs and their handlers.
“The dogs are all special and amazing in their own way. They have such gentle spirits and have the ability to notice who needs them the most at events and provide them support. I could gush about each dog, but don’t want to leave anyone out! Additionally, therapy dog owners make the program so rewarding. They have dedicated their time and energy to our campus community.”
