The Student Wellness Education and Empowerment Team (S.W.E.E.T) club is hosting their “Paws and Relax” event on Wednesday, September 11. This event is taking place from 12 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. on the third floor of Linda McMahon Commons.
Their “Paws and Relax” event features dogs trained by Therapy Dogs International. All students are invited to come and relieve their stress. Students can go to Linda’s and be comforted by Scarlett the Therapy Doodle.
Junior Olivia Franco, the President of S.W.E.E.T said the therapy dogs accentuate how important it is to take breaks in order to promote positive mental health for students. These events are organized to ease stress surrounding the new academic year.
“We schedule therapy dogs to make regular visits to campus to remind students it’s important to take a purposeful break and that it is normal to struggle with your mental health. Mental Health Awareness is so important because there is such a big stigma around the topic. People think they are so alone in their Mental Health journey but so many people are struggling,” said Franco.
Junior Olivia George, the S.W.E.E.T Stall Street Editor says the therapy dogs make their way to campus frequently throughout the semester.
“S.W.E.E.T hosts our Therapy Dog events at least once a month! Specifically, the dogs and their owners will come around busy times for students such as midterms and finals. This allows students to take a break and get away from their academic stressors to take care of themselves and their mind,” said George.
New logo created by S.W.E.E.T President Olivia Franco for the therapy dog event.
Contributed by Olivia Franco, ‘26
The club’s mission is to create a community within Sacred Heart University where students can go to seek resources, feel empowered, and eliminate the stigma around the struggle with mental health.
“S.W.E.E.T benefits students by not only opening up the conversation around mental health but by also providing opportunities and resources for students to support themselves during their time at college,” said George.
Junior Arianna Whitton, S.W.E.E.T’s Mental Health Initiatives Chair said the presence of the dogs tend to remind students of home and can make students feel more relaxed. This can be helpful for students, especially during exams.
“Seeing the dogs for a lot of people brings people immediate serotonin. We usually host the events in Linda’s, so when people walk up the stairs, they are so much happier after, putting a smile on their face. The dogs also give students a sense of home being around the dogs.”
Whitton said that the club will be active participants during Suicide Prevention Week. S.W.E.E.T will be in attendance at the events promoting mental health awareness, such as the Prevention Walk on September 10.
“S.W.E.E.T members who are able to attend will be at the Suicide Prevention Walk on September 10. We will be giving out resource cards and will be representing The Green Bandana Project,” said Whitton.
S.W.E.E.T hosts events throughout the year that students can attend and participate in. They host table times where students can get involved with “The Green Bandana Project”. The Green Bandana Project is a mental health awareness movement where students can receive a green bandana to wear on their backpack to serve as a reminder that no one is struggling alone.
Whitton also said that in the upcoming weeks, S.W.E.E.T will be in the academic budlings, handing out cards with words of affirmation on them.
S.W.E.E.T is a resource in the Sacred Heart community where students are reminded that they are not alone, and there are people who they can turn to. People can get involved with S.W.E.E.T by attending therapy dog events or following @shu_sweetpeered on Instagram to stay up to date with any upcoming events!
