Meet Hazel, BU’s New Therapy Dog
Numerous improvements have been added to the Bluefield University campus recently, but what many students would consider the most comforting addition is Hazel, the school’s new therapy dog.
Hazel is a white Labrador retriever puppy recently added to the staff of Counseling Services to serve as a support for students. Whether it be relieving stress during exam week or easing nervousness about visiting Counselors Services, Hazel’s your answer.
“Hazel is super excited to see everyone,” said Emily Cook, director of the Center for Counseling and Wellness. Students can come to the third floor of the Science Center to visit her, take her for walks, and much more when we have wellness events involving her.”
Hazel serves as an emotional support animal on campus, and is currently undergoing training to become a certified therapy dog. Therapy dogs naturally produce automatic calming and relaxation, and they are trained to react and respond to their people and environments.
“She’s currently still in her new stages of puppy training where she’s learning how not to nibble and jump up on people so much,” Cook said, “but she’s doing very well in learning quickly.”
Dr. Jessica Sharp, dean of BU’s School of Nursing who officially owns Hazel and is known as her mother, thought Hazel serving at BU would be a great idea and would help reduced the barriers to students being comfortable with accessing mental health services on campus.
“If a student is visiting me for counseling, and is somewhat nervous, Hazel can help with that,” Cook said.
Hazel was named after Brigadier General Dr. Hazel Johnson-Brown, the first black chief of the Army Corps, who served as an operating room nurse and also influenced Dr. Sharp as a professor at George Mason University.
“I figured it was time to name one of the dogs after someone who I respected so greatly,” Dr. Sharp said.
Hazel was born to a family in Frisco, Texas. Dr. Sharp closely monitored her from afar until deciding one day to drive to Frisco to pick up the dog from the breeder. At that time, Hazel was nine pounds. Currently, she has grown to be 51 pounds. She will continue to grow physically and mentally over time, and all students have the opportunity to enjoy her and her services during the process.
“Everyone we have met has enjoyed Hazel,” Dr. Sharp said. “She is a joy to us all.”
Some students think having Hazel on campus is great for the students because of the natural state of mind puppies put people in.
“I think she’s super cute, and I think it’s cool having her on campus,” said BU student Makenzie Gomez, “because puppies can give you a natural sense of peace even if everything around you is hectic.”