Animal Assisted Therapy

Incorporating a Trained Animal into the Therapeutic Process
SCPS Dogtors Moose and Nessie with Dr. Hankes

Nessie, or Rooster are sometimes available for outreach events on campus. If you are interested in scheduling Nessie, or Rooster for an event on campus, please call the counseling center at (334) 844-5123 to check for availability.  Request to speak with Dr. Hankes for scheduling opportunities.

SCPS at 25th Anniversary Camp War Eagle Parent Run

Student Counseling & Psychological Services (SCPS) offers Animal Assisted Therapy services. Our first therapy dog, Moose, joined SCPS during the summer of 2015. Our second therapy dog, Nessie, joined SCPS during the summer of 2019.  Rooster joined us in 2021.

Dr. Moose,  Auburn University’s beloved therapy dog, passed away recently after a hard-fought battle with osteosarcoma. 

Nessie and Rooster are available to work with students by joining individual sessions, group sessions, and through campus outreach events. Below are some answers to frequently asked questions.

Get Mov’in with Moose and the Camp War Eagle Parent Run

During the Spring 2024 Semester, join Dr. Nessie and Dr. Rooster on Mondays at 8 am for “Get Mov’in with Moose”…..a 3-mile walk around the Auburn campus. You can find Drs. Nessie, Rooster and a couple of their Student Counseling & Psychological Services handlers on the Haley Center concourse outside the Melton Student Center’s Starbucks. Drs. Nessie, and Rooster know that exercise positively affects mental health. When Drs. Nessie, and Rooster are mov’in, they are happy, tail wagging dogs.

Join us on the CWE Parent Run, a three-mile running tour of campus with other Auburn University faculty and staff members during each of the Camp War Eagle sessions. Drs. Nessie, and Rooster also usually participate. SCPS staff are shown with Rooster at the 25th Anniversary of the CWE Parent Run.

The run occurs on the morning of each Camp War Eagle session and starts at 6:00 am outside of the Melton Student Center on the Haley Center concourse in front of Starbucks.

SCPS and Dogtor Nessie visit with the Eagles
SCPS Therapy Dogs Moose, Rooster and Nessie

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, Nessie, and Rooster who have met the certification standards of Therapy Dogs International. Nessie, and Rooster are handled by Student Counseling & Psychological Services counselors who have met 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 Nessie, or Rooster?

Moose, Nessie, and Rooster are available to join sessions for clients at SCPS. If you are interested in having Nessie, or Rooster join your counseling session, discuss this interest with your counselor. Together, you and your counselor can decide if adding Nessie, or Rooster to your sessions would be beneficial. You will be asked to sign a release before you can have Nessie, or Rooster 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 Nessie, or Rooster be in sessions?

If you and your counselor determine that AAT would be beneficial, Nessie, or Rooster will be able to join your sessions as they are available. Appointments with Nessie, or Rooster are booked in advance, but if they aren’t feeling well or are otherwise unavailable, they may not be able to join your session.

Nessie, and Rooster are rarely off leash at SCPS and are kept out of common areas like the lobby. Nessie, and Rooster sometimes spend time behind the front desk or in counselor’s offices, so please be aware you may see them as you check in or walk to your counselor’s office. If you have concerns about Nessie or Rooster 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 SCPS comfortable.

Questions or concerns about AAT with Nessie or Rooster?

Contact Dr. Hankes at (334) 844-5123.