Therapy Dogs Visit Graceland University

On May 13 and 14, the Graceland University F.M. Smith Library went to the dogs! As part of the library’s efforts to help students survive finals week, Library Director Alisha Linam invited three therapy dogs and their trainers to visit.

Labrador retrievers Annie, Splash and Trice provided therapy to Graceland students through play, comforting nuzzles and cuddling on the floor. Graceland students quickly came to the consensus that the library needs to employ full time therapy dogs.

Annie, Splash and Trice were accompanied by their handlers Beth Harmon, Lynn Carico and Erin Jansen. The dogs and their handlers are registered with Therapy Dogs International (TDI), a well-established nonprofit organization dedicated to the regulating, testing and registering of therapy dogs. TDI relies on volunteer dogs and handlers to provide comfort and companionship by visiting hospitals, nursing homes, schools, libraries and many other types of facilities.