Drs. Nessie, and Rooster 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 Nessie, or Rooster for an event on campus, then please call the counseling center to check for availability. Drs. Nessie, Rooster and his handlers require at least 2 weeks notice to schedule an outreach presentation.
During the Fall and Spring semesters, join Nessie, and Rooster on Mondays at 8 am and Thursdays at 4 pm (after it cools down in the semester) for “Get Mov’in with Moose”…..a 3-mile walk around the Auburn campus. During the Fall semesters, Nessie, and Rooster will start the walks during the second week of classes. Spring semester walks start the first week of the semester. During Summer semesters, Nessie, and Rooster will usually only be Mov’in on Mondays at 7 am. They start earlier to beat the summer heat.
You can find Dr. Nessie, Dr. Rooster, and a couple of their Student Counseling & Psychological Services handlers on the Haley Center concourse outside the Melton Student Center’s Starbucks. Nessie, and Rooster know that exercise positively affects mental health. When Dr. Nessie, and Dr. Rooster are mov’in, they are happy, happy dogs. In case of inclement weather, you can call SCPS directly or check out the SCPS Instagram to find out whether Get Mov’in will be happening.
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, Nessie, who has met the certification standards of Therapy Dogs International. Nessie, and Rooster 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 Nessie, or Rooster?
Nessie, and Rooster are available to join sessions for clients at Student Counseling & Psychological Services. If you are interested in having Nessie, and Rooster join your counseling session, discuss this 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, and 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 Student Counseling & Psychological Services and are kept out of common areas like the lobby. 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 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 Student Counseling & Psychological Services comfortable.
Questions or concerns about AAT with Nessie or Rooster?
Contact Dr. Hankes at (334) 844-5123.