A team of Healthy Campus Initiative grant recipients is approaching the end of their year-long feasibility study, #puppylove: an on-site, year-round animal therapy program for the UCR campus community.

They are now seeking input from UC Riverside students, faculty, and staff.

The #puppylove study, sponsored by the UCR Healthy Campus Initiative with funding from the UC-wide Healthy Campus Network, seeks to determine faculty, staff, and student interest in an on-site, year-round Campuswide Wellness Dogs (CWD) program.

The proposed CWD program would be in addition to the Therapy Fluffies event that takes place during the quarterly Finals Week Stress Relief event series, sponsored by the UCR Library in collaboration with The WELL and UCR Active Minds.

"A CWD program would be an exciting and innovative method for improving the overall physical, mental and social well-being of the broader UCR community," said project lead Patricia Smith-Hunt, Head of Preservation Services at the UCR Library. "Our team is excited about the research study we are conducting."

There are separate survey forms for UCR faculty and staff and for students. Each survey takes about 5 minutes to complete, and the deadline to participate has been extended to Wednesday, April 10.

Participation is voluntary and answers will remain anonymous.

The #puppylove team included several UCR Library employees: Smith-Hunt was the project lead;  Financial and Acquisition Analyst Jacqueline Bates; Serials Assistant Andi Newman; Circulation / Reserves Services Manager Sahra Missaghieh Klawitter; and Access Services Desk Coordinator Elisha Hankins.

Smith-Hunt added, "The #puppylove team thanks the UCR community for participating in the survey."