A paw-some time
On November 29, students, staff, and faculty brought their canines to school for Doggie Day. Students, either individually or in groups of up to three, signed up to spend time with a furry friend for 30-minute intervals. 11 dogs and approximately 110 students participated.
Doggie Day historically took place once a semester, but was on pause since Winter 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, Ultra Vires asked students to submit photos of their pets as part of virtual Doggie Day.
All students this year were required to adhere to the University of Toronto’s COVID-19 masking protocols during pick up and drop off. They were also asked to wipe down leashes before and after each walk.
In a comment to UV, Acting Assistant Dean (JD Program) Brittany Twiss wrote that the goals of Doggie Day were to “promote mental health and wellness, stretch breaks, help connect community members, and to support positive engagement prior to exams, which we know can be a stressful time for students.”
“Seeing friendly dogs on campus, getting out for some fresh air, and sharing a story or laugh with other participants helps to elevate spirits and bring a bit of joy into our shared space,” she added.
Ben, a one-year-old cockapoo, was one of the participating dogs.
“I signed Ben up for Doggie Day because his love for life and infectious spirit were exactly what this campus needed as we headed into the exam period and winter month,” said Greta Hoaken (3L). “Ben passed the day going on walks, receiving many pats and treats, and sniffing out the law school. He tells me he enjoyed it so much that he’s considering applying to do his Dog-torate in animal law here.”
