Leo is a small therapy dog with a big job.
He has become a popular part of the Pets Assisting with Student Success (PAWSS) program at MacEwan University in Edmonton, where he helps students cope with stress and safeguard their mental well-being.
“The students love to spend time with Leo,” said Kianna Rauscher, Leo’s owner.
Leo is a year-and-a-half old Shih Tzu-Yorkie cross and was the runt of the litter. He had to be bottle-fed to keep him alive. But the puppy thrived on the extra care, and although his mother only weighed seven pounds, Leo is now double that.
Rauscher moved away from the family home in the Vega area to Edmonton, where is she is going to MacEwan University. She said she felt lonely once she moved, and her parents gave her Leo for company.
Rauscher first took Leo to Cure-Care for the seniors to visit with.
“Many of the seniors had dogs and miss having a dog,” she said.
Leo is happy to visit with everyone, getting attention and lots of pets along the way. He is a friendly, confident pup who can do 12 different tricks, for the right treat.
In January, Rauscher and Leo began volunteering with PAWSS, a non-profit animal therapy program that lets MacEwan students improve their well-being through interactions with animals. Since then, the pair have already logged 50 hours with the program. Once a week they visit with students or go to events.
Rauscher said even students who have never spent time with dogs before slowly get more comfortable and are overwhelmed with joy when Leo sits in their laps. She believes Leo helps students cope with their loneliness and stress.
Leo isn't carrying the whole load himself, however. There is an assortment of therapy dogs and cats in the program.
The PAWSS program began in 2017 at MacEwan as a study of the impact of unstructured animal interactions on student mental health. So far, the program — with the help of Leo — seems to be making a positive difference.
Students who have participated have reported less anxiety and stress, adding they have also met more student peers where they have maintained those connections.