This fall at EMU some new feet will be walking the campus, or rather, some new paws. Tinker, a two-year-old golden retriever, will be stationed at the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) as a certified assistance dog.
Tinker was trained by Paws With A Cause for two years. She was then brought to the staff at CHHS so they could learn how to work with her. Tinker passed her certification test and is officially a facility dog.
Paws With A Cause has been in operation since 1979, training dogs to increase quality of life for thousands of people. Their assistance dogs have different jobs, like service dogs for people with physical disabilities, hearing dogs for the deaf, and response dogs for those who suffer seizures.
Tinker is trained to help relieve stress and be a calming presence. “Facility dogs are known to lessen stress and anxiety and in CHHS and the library we are actively working on ways to minimize this for students, staff and faculty.” said Jennifer Kellman-Fritz, Dean of the College Health and Human Services, as well as Tinker’s handler. Tinker is well educated on being a loving force to those who are upset or stressed out.
This fluffy friend will be in 206B Marshall, Dean Fritz’s office on Monday’s and Thursday’s and Halle 200, Alexis Braun Marks office at Halle Library on Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s. You can also look for the fancy golden strutting the sidewalks in her official facility dog vest. If you want to set up a meeting, you can contact Kellman-Fritz at jkellman@emich.edu or Alexis Braun Marks, Tinker’s other handler, at abraunma@emich.edu.
Anyone who is looking for a friend is welcome to seek out Tinker. Hopefully, she won’t be the only four-legged addition to campus. “We hope she will be the first of many facility dogs on campus” said Kellman-Fritz.
The positive effect of dogs on humans is not just superficial, there’s a scientific reason for dogs being man’s best friend. A study done by Cleveland Clinic showed that dogs improve mental health. Spending time with a loving creature can lower blood pressure and minimize cortisol, the stress hormone. Just petting a furry beast can produce dopamine and serotonin, the positive neurotransmitters in the brain that make you happy. So besides being adorable, Tinker can also help people relax and lighten their mood.
So, if you need a non-judgmental ear to listen, a fuzzy dog to pet, or just a friendly and adorable face, Tinker is your girl.
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