{"id":76945,"date":"2026-02-03T08:05:42","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T15:05:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/?p=76945"},"modified":"2026-02-03T08:05:52","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T15:05:52","slug":"dogs-in-the-den","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/dogs-in-the-den\/","title":{"rendered":"Dogs in the Den\u00a0brings\u00a0tender loving canines to NAU\u00a0\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

College students are uniquely vulnerable to a wide array of stressors.<\/span><\/p>\n

When every second, dime and spare thought you have is going toward earning your college degree, it can be difficult to find the time to properly decompress and meet new friends. To remedy this issue, Campus Health Promotion developed an on-campus space where NAU students can take a break with a brand-new best friend\u2014one of man\u2019s best friends, that is.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>Aptly named Dogs in the Den, Campus Health\u2019s semimonthly puppy-petting social is returning full-force this semester, bringing Lumberjacks nose-to-snout with adoptable dogs from the High Country Humane animal shelter.<\/span><\/p>\n

Staff members drive the shelter\u2019s pups along Highway 89 every other Wednesday to set up shop on the first floor of NAU\u2019s Health and Learning Center. Students who pop their heads into the Health Promotion Office\u2019s Zen Den can spend the next hour destressing with fluffy cuddle buddies, connecting with their peers and making a few arts and crafts projects.<\/span><\/p>\n

Health Services Director\u00a0<\/span>Melissa Griffin\u00a0<\/span><\/b>said each super-soft shindig creates a fun, low-stress environment for those overwhelmed by their daily hustle and bustle.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are always looking for ways to create a healthy campus community by supporting students\u2019 mental well-being and stress management,\u201d Griffin said. \u201cWe are also\u00a0very interested\u00a0in contributing to students\u2019 social\u00a0connections, since loneliness has tremendous negative impacts on a variety of health outcomes. These events are low commitment, low barrier and help students build some of those important protective factors for improved wellness during their time at NAU.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Health Promotion previously hosted its\u00a0Dogs in the Den\u00a0events in collaboration with Pet Partners, a national nonprofit that registers volunteer therapy animal teams made\u00a0up\u00a0of nine\u00a0different species\u00a0of pets and their owners. This semester, the department decided to\u00a0pivot to\u00a0shelter animals with the help of NAU Community Relations Director\u00a0<\/span>Ali Applin<\/span><\/b>, who<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>also serves as a board\u00a0member for High Country Humane.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>Applin said\u00a0Dogs in the Den\u00a0is a \u201cwin-win\u201d for the participating students and dogs; on-campus residents\u00a0not only\u00a0get a\u00a0free puppy playdate,\u00a0but\u00a0they are also increasing each puppy\u2019s chance of adoption by boosting their social skills and\u00a0helping them experience\u00a0life outside\u00a0the shelter.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI love that this event supports students who may be missing their own pets or aren\u2019t in a place to adopt right now,\u201d Applin said. \u201cAt the same time, it gives the dogs a chance to get out of the shelter, experience new environments and soak up lots of attention and affection.\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0so grateful to Melissa and her team for hosting and to High Country Humane for transporting the pups and providing staff to make it all possible.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Those wanting to make their week with a wet-nosed nuzzle can do so at Health Promotion\u2019s next Dogs in the Den event from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Feb. 4. For additional puppy time, dog-ear the rest of the event dates in your calendar:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n