Join Dr. Moose (and frequently Dr. Nessie) on Mondays at 8 am for “Get Mov’in with Moose”…..a 3-mile walk around the Auburn campus. When the weather cools, walks will also occur at 4 pm on Thursdays. For the Fall 2020 semester, Dr. Moose will start his walks during the second week of classes. During summer semesters, Dr. Moose will usually only be Mov’in on Mondays at 7 am. He starts earlier to beat the summer heat. You can find Dr. Moose or Dr. Nessie and a couple of their Student Counseling & Psychological Services handlers on the concourse outside the Student Center’s Starbucks. Drs. Moose and Nessie know that exercise positive affects mental health. When Dr. Moose and Dr. Nessie are mov’in, they are happy, happy dogs. Masks and physical distancing are required.
Drs. Moose and Nessie are often available for outreach events on campus. They are limited on the number of outreach events that they can do after 5 pm. If you are interested in scheduling Moose or Nessie for an event on campus, please call the counseling center at (334) 844-5123 to check for availability. Drs. Moose and Nessie and his handlers require at least 2 weeks notice to schedule an outreach presentation.
What is Animal Assisted Therapy?
Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a form of therapy that incorporates a trained animal into the therapeutic process. Student Counseling & Psychological Services offers AAT with two trained dogs, Moose and Nessie, who have met the certification standards of Therapy Dogs International. Moose and Nessie are handled by SCPS counselors who have completed the appropriate training. Participation in AAT may have many benefits, including improved motivation for treatment and improved social and emotional functioning.
How do I sign up to work with Moose or Nessie?
Moose and Nessie are available to join sessions for clients at Student Counseling & Psychological Services. If you are interested in having Moose or Nessie join your counseling session, discuss this with your counselor. Together, you and your counselor can decide if adding Moose or Nessie to your sessions would be beneficial. You will be asked to sign a release before you can have Moose or Nessie join your counseling sessions. Students under the age of 19 will have to get this release signed by a parent or guardian.
How often can Moose or Nessie be in sessions?
If you and your counselor determine that AAT would be beneficial, Moose and Nessie will be able to join your sessions as they are available. Appointments with Moose or Nessie are booked in advance, but if they aren’t feeling well or are otherwise unavailable, they may not be able to join your session.
Moose and Nessie are rarely off leash at Student Counseling & Psychological Services and are kept out of common areas like the lobby. Moose and Nessie sometimes spend time behind the front desk or in counselor’s offices, so please be aware you may see one of them as you check in or walk to your counselor’s office. If you have concerns about Moose or Nessie being at SCPS while you visit, please let our front office staff or your counselor know, so we can make every effort to make your visit to Student Counseling & Psychological Services comfortable.
Questions or concerns about AAT with Moose or Nessie?
Contact Dr. Hankes at (334) 844-5123.