Paws and Positivity: Service Dogs Bring Joy to Campus for Mental Health Awareness Month

As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, campus was filled with joy and wagging tails on Wednesday, May 7. Four adorable service dogs in training, Gibbs, Morty, Yalda, and Sofia, paid a special visit during the lunch periods. Stationed on the Class of 2020 Quad, the pups were instant morale boosters, happily greeting students and faculty and spreading smiles all around.

These furry visitors are Seeing Eye dogs in training, brought to campus by their devoted volunteer handlers. The Seeing Eye is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals who are blind by pairing them with highly trained guide dogs. Visits like this play a crucial role in the dogs' socialization process—helping them get comfortable in different environments. 

It’s not just the dogs who benefit. Research shows that interacting with animals can significantly reduce stress and improve overall well-being—making this heartwarming visit the perfect addition to our Mental Health Awareness Month initiatives.

Special thanks to MBS Upper School Counselor Barbara Smith for arranging the dogs’ visit!