The Cleveland State University Therapy Dog Program was created to support the mental health, well-being, and sense of belonging of our campus community. Through intentional engagement, our certified therapy dogs and trained handlers provide comfort during times of stress, promote positive connections, and help foster a safer, more compassionate campus environment.
Throughout the academic year, the Therapy Dog Program supports students, faculty, and staff during high-stress periods such as midterms, finals, campus events, and critical incidents. Our teams are also embedded in outreach efforts, wellness programming, and community engagement—offering a calm, approachable presence that encourages conversation, connection, and resilience.
Giving Day support directly impacts the growth and sustainability of this program by helping fund training, certification, veterinary care, equipment, and expanded programming opportunities. Every gift helps ensure that our therapy dogs—like K9 RUNE & THOR—and their handlers can continue showing up for our campus when it matters most.
