Meet Rhody’s newest four-legged friend
PHOTO CREDIT: Aidan Cahill | Staff Photographer
The University of Rhode Island’s Psychological Consultation Center (PCC) has committed to a “paw-some” new approach towards mental health care.
Lindsey Anderson, director of the PCC, reached out to Boonefield Labradors, a breeder in New Hampshire who recently donated a therapy animal to the East Providence Police Department.
Looking for an innovative way to help students, faculty and staff, Anderson met Basil: an English Labrador puppy who was donated to Anderson’s family. The two parties agreed that Basil would serve as a therapy dog at URI, initially undergoing training for the first year of her life.
“Colleges are exactly the kinds of spaces that [Boonefield Labradors] want their dogs to be, and so they donated Basil,” Anderson said.
Now 15 months old, Basil has started her journey of becoming URI’s first ever certified University therapy dog.
According to Anderson, animals can make a significant difference for people seeking mental health treatment. This sentiment, she said, is one that she has always believed strongly in.
When it comes to Basil, Anderson didn’t believe strong enough.
“If I’m being totally honest, the response to Basil has been way more significant than I ever expected,” Anderson said. “Like, way more significant. I think the scope of what she could do here on campus was really underselling the need.”
Since arriving in Kingston, Basil has made appearances at clinical psychology sessions in the PCC, as well as surprise visits on the quad and even planned campus events, most notably URI’s Fresh Check Day, where the community comes together to promote positive mental health and suicide prevention.
Anderson said that students go out of their way to request Basil during their appointments, and that she has received many emails requesting her presence in classes, club meetings and even dorm buildings.
“I think that we as a community need to be thinking about creative alternative approaches to addressing mental health concerns and supporting well being,” Anderson said. “Basil has a huge place in that vision.”
Kayleigh Ryan, a second-year student at URI, met Basil when passing by Chafee on her way to class.
Ryan said that having a therapy dog on campus will be beneficial for anyone who might need a pick-me-up.
“I wasn’t even having a particularly bad day, but seeing Basil still made it better,” Ryan said. “I can imagine that for students who are struggling, [Basil’s] love will give them a safe atmosphere to heal, no matter what they may be going through.”
During her interview, Basil spoke about a lot of her distinctive qualities. She enjoys playing with pinecones and shoelaces, as well as napping on her favorite blanket. Basil said that she is usually calm, but gets an occasional case of the “zoomies” in the PCC and is getting the hang of the whole “potty training thing.”
Since Basil is still in training, she asks that students, faculty and staff remain patient as she learns how to grow from a puppy to a service dog.
Starting on Tuesday, Basil will be having a weekly meet-and-greet in the library from 11-12, giving students an opportunity to pop in and get their “puppy fix.”
“Her role on campus will evolve and grow as campus partnerships solidify and as people come up with ideas about how Basil could be helpful,” Anderson said.
While Kingston will always be notable for our Rhody rams, there is still some room for Basil to share the spotlight for years to come.
“Woof,” Basil said, in agreement.