Photo Credit: Donna Walsh

Third-year student, Bridget Castillo gets to know Aubree, a Jack Russell-Pit Bull mix who abides wearing a winter hat and sweater.

The Rio Hondo College (RHC) community was invited to de-stress by spending time with therapy animals on Tuesday, November 18th. The encounter with eight dogs and one cat was organized by the Associated Students of Rio Hondo College (ASRHC) Task Force for Student Success and took place inside the tent in the Upper Quad. 

Makayla Shao, the event’s student organizer, explained that bringing therapy animals on campus was an effort to help students reduce their stress levels as they prepare for finals. The event was well-attended, with students visiting a sign-in table before entering the tent to meet and play with the animals.

Particularly popular were Frijol, the swaddled cat, Mia, an enthusiastic Shetland Sheepdog who loved playing catch, and Nakuja, a Rottweiler who rolled on her back and invited everyone that she met to give her a belly rub.

Paws-to-Share

The canine and feline companions were provided by Paws-to-Share, a California pet therapy group that visits senior centers, hospitals, and schools.

Jaime Goldfarb, Ph.D., founded Paws-to-Share as a way to bring the calming effect of pets to people in the community. Goldfarb is a developmental and child psychologist. The organization’s goal is to bring the loving touch of a wonderful pet to people, help them breathe, relax, and enjoy. 

“Our favorite visits are things like being at Rio Hondo College,” said Goldfarb. “We started eight years ago with four dogs and one cat. I’m happy to say we now have 450 dogs and 25 cats making visits.”

Friendly Animals

Paws-to-Share recruits owners who are willing to bring their friendly dogs and cats to scheduled interactions. Julie Frank is a retired Los Angeles County Sheriff and owner of Nakuja the Rottweiler. A graduate of RHC’s police academy, Frank now runs K9 an Me, Dog Training for Humans. She said it was nice to be on campus again and was pleased with how well Nakuja interacted with the students and staff at RHC. 

“She’s as sweet as they come,” said Frank. “She loves to come to schools and do visits.” 

Shao suggested that, given the popularity of this event, ASRHC may hold an animal therapy event each semester.

Uriel De Leon and Makayla Shao worked the sign-in table for the Associated Students’ event.

Students Diana Enriquez, Hannah Chavez, and Robbie Garcia take a study break to spend some quality time with Mac, a black Labrador.

Second-year student Kayla Flores holds Frijol, a year-old cow cat. He remained calm in his swaddle as a series of students held him.

Student Isis Ouzounian shares a calm moment with Mia, a Shetland Sheepdog. Mia entertained students with her love of playing fetch. Her owner, Paws to Share founder, Jaime Goldfarb, Ph.D., describes Mia as “indefatigable.”

Uriel De Leon, chair of ASRHC’s Task Force for Student Success, holds Frijol and enjoys the stress-relieving event that he helped to create.

RHC Instructional Operations staff members, Gabby Castillo and Suzanne Zaragosa visited Nakuja during their lunch break.

Owners, such as retired LA County Sheriff (and RHC alumna) Julie Frank, bring their pets’ love to others through Paws-to-Share.