Therapy Animals Help College Students Cope With Stress

College is going to the dogs, and even a few cats these days. As a professor at Indiana University of Pennsylvania for 38 years, Mary Jalongo saw her share of students stressed out as finals approached. Now retired, Jalongo, a longtime dog lover who has researched and written about the benefits of therapy dogs, is doing her part to ease those stress levels. She is among a legion of therapy dog handlers who have put college campuses throughout the region on their itineraries. Once the province of nursing homes, hospitals and elementary schools, therapy dogs — canines specially trained and certified to interact with people in institutional settings — are going to college. Nicollette Long, an IUP sophomore from Philadelphia, couldn’t be happier. Long, 20, was among hundreds of students taking a break from studying for finals and finishing term papers to head to the school’s Stapleton Library to pet a pup. Although there were about a half-dozen handlers with a variety of therapy dogs — ranging from an 85-pound golden retriever to a pint-sized Pomeranian — it was Jalongo’s laid-back Italian greyhound, Fiona, that caught Long’s eye and claimed her heart. “Being an animal lover and growing up with dogs, she put a smile on my face. She was just an adorable, loving dog,” Long said. “And it was very relaxing, especially right before I had to go to math class.” The feeling is mutual, said Julie Baker of Blairsville. Baker’s 2-year-old golden retriever, Marley, lapped up the attention and ended up on his back enjoying belly rubs from students.