Pet Away! The Animal Meet-Up on Campus

The owner talks about the service dog as students gather around to listen. Photo by. Macie Groth

Students and staff had the opportunity to pause and pet some animals on Wednesday, Sept. 2. P.A.W.S. (Pet Away Worry and Stress) has a long history at the University of Minnesota Duluth, just under 20 years, according to Pat Castellano, who’s been involved in organizing the event. 

Students gather around a service a animal. Photo Credit: Macie Groth

The now longstanding tradition “started out from one visit of 1,700 students,” morphing into the monthly visits the colleges now see, Castellano said. “A kind of partnership with animal allies” helped begin the soothing visits, and now lots of the animals are connected to P.A.W.S. through organizations that test therapy dogs. Castellano said, “Some of us have a rich history of coming,” adding, “they’re all friends now!” Many of the P.A.W.S. participants also do work elsewhere with their dogs. 

Service Animal receives attention by students. Photo Credit: Macie Groth

According to Bulldog Connect, 236 students were registered for Wednesday’s event, the first of this academic year’s visits, and a first for incoming students. “Thats’s the thing about visiting with students…there’s gonna be a few tears from the freshmen, or even seniors who miss their animals at home,” said Castellano, “we offer kind of a proxy visit.” Castellano herself brought a dog, Tootsie, to the gathering. Students flock to the dogs, sharing stories of their home pets and getting to know their new friends on campus. Patti Speer, a freshman at UMD, stopped by to see the dogs. One specific dog, Tilly, caught her attention. “I have three dogs,” Speer noted, “one like Tilly…. It’s nice seeing dogs because I miss my dog.” As Castellano put it, “students really love it.”

Students and service animals connect at the P.A.W.S. event. Photo Credit: Macie Groth