Testimonials
From Teachers in the EnCompass Program
“The children loved Orion. Reading with Orion got the students engaged. They learned to be calm around Orion and when she needed a break.”
During their time with the therapy dogs the students “were much more gentle and chill (even if still a little antsy), they attempted sitting quietly and calmer than they often are in the classroom. This was also the only setting where not once did I hear a student have a negative comment about or during. They seemed to be happy to go in with the dogs. It was also great incentive for encouraging positive behavior.”
“I loved the small group setting and how the kids were comfortable in the setting to read aloud. Even kids that don’t read in class gave it a try!”
“One of our student struggles with reading, this student refused to read or participate in any of the reading activities. However, this student was fully engaged and participated in reading to the therapy dogs despite her reading struggles.”
From Participants in Animal-Assisted Anxiety Toolbox Programs with Orion
Orion “could tell when we were anxious and would come up and greet us as we came in. I loved giving her treats and having her to tricks after each session. Petting her was a fun way to ground myself and relax after some realizing some harder parts about anxiety and how to get over those hurtles.”
“It was super fun to be greeted by her, and I was amazed at how she calmed down when we did our deep breathing. It really showed me how animals can detect stress.”
“I like having an opportunity to have a safe space outside of a traditional therapy session. I enjoy Orion I wish I could enjoy more time with her.”
Orion “was a great tension breaker, helped change the mood, and gave you something else to focus on in during the session”
“Orion was so sweet and welcoming when I went to the anxiety toolbox sessions for the first time last year, which was also my first semester here. She relieved a lot of anxiety I had with being a grad student.”
“I took an anxiety course with Orion and she made us all feel at ease when discussing difficult topics.”
From Students at Nazareth University
“Tilly's spirit always turns my day around. Even though she's blind, she has the most fun of all the dogs. I love that she's able to be herself in the face of adversity. I try to apply her spirit to my own life.”
“I got to do a speech therapy session during my first semester of grad school last year with Orion, and it was such a great experience! …. My client (a young child) loved it, and it was a really engaging process for me too, as I could be creative in planning how to incorporate the client's goals and Orion's participation into the session.”
“Orion is very calm and soothing, it helps relieve stress and brings happiness into my day.”
“last year i took a medical leave and about a week before hand i had went to see Orion and Tilly and it helped me tremendously. Orion laid with me for maybe an hour just being present.”
“Orion has helped me through a bout of homesickness that had sent me into a period of depression. I missed my dog terribly and I came to see Orion, she came up to me and plopped her head in my hands and made me feel more connected to my home again..”
“Tilly is the Star of the Show and always makes me appreciate what we have and so often take for granted. Laura is outstanding.”
“When I was having an especially hard week with school, family, and mental health, I cried with the therapy dog and was able to calm down and gather enough strength to go to class.”
“I was discouraged after receiving a bad grade, and my anxiety was really high. Then, I saw Tilly, and she was so sweet, I felt loved and felt that everything would be okay.”
“I was struggling one day and Tilly happened to be out and I went and sat with her and she just kept nudging me knowing i needed cuddles.”
“Orion is always so calm and her energy radiates to me when i am feeling stressed.”
“They are such well behaved dogs with such a positive impact on the community. It also helps to see them when I am having a bad day.”
“I met Orion when I had no friends. I remember being my usual loner self ( I also struggle with PTSD and major depression and Orion was so happy to see me. it made me realize some other people might miss me if I was gone too.”
“I like having the dogs on campus! I'm very appreciative that they're so well-trained, quiet, gentle, and respectful. Though I have had violent trauma with dogs in the past, I really like seeing these ones on campus because they're so calm and wait to be approached rather than walking up to people.”
“When I feel like nobody cares and Orion shows her love, it makes me feel worth it.”
“Orion has been so helpful for me after my first week at Naz. I was so nervous to start at a new school with very few friends. it was nice to see her and the professor would talk to me. It made me feel like I belong.”
“Tilly and Orion are always so sweet to me when I see them… it’s awesome to see how loved they are.”
“They make my day a million times better. They are the sunshine of this campus.”