As finals week approaches, Waynesburg University students will have the chance to take a break from studying and spend time with a special guest, Jasper, a certified therapy dog known for helping students relax during stressful or anxious times.

Jasper, a nearly 8-year-old Dalmatian, will be on campus April 27 from 2-3:30 p.m. in the Skylight Room of Eberly Library as part of the university’s Day of Study events. The visit is one of several activities designed to support students’ well-being during finals.

“Jasper is the sweetest boy,” Dr. Kelley McNichols, Jasper’s owner and a licensed professional counselor, wrote in an e-mail interview. “His tail never stops wagging, and he loves everyone.” 

McNichols wrote that Jasper has visited campus multiple times before, including previous finals weeks and university events, and students always responded positively. 

“It seems as if all students really enjoy spending time with him,” McNichols wrote. “WU students have regularly commented that they miss their pets at home, and Jasper is happy to share the love.”

Jasper became a certified therapy dog in 2024 after completing training and earning his Canine Good Citizen certification. Since then, he has participated in a variety of events, including suicide prevention walks and school visits. 

According to McNichols, bringing Jasper to campus originally started to support students during mental health-focused events.

“I have always wanted to incorporate dog therapy into my work,” McNichols wrote. “It just seemed like a win-win situation for everyone involved.” 

During his visits, Jasper is known for creating a relaxed and welcoming environment. Students often gather around him, and interactions quickly turn into moments of laughter and connection. 

“Usually, everyone ends up on the floor with him,” McNichols wrote. “He is notorious for giving hugs and kisses.”

For many students, opportunities like this are especially important during finals week, when stress levels tend to be high during this time.

“Therapy dogs are especially helpful during events like Day of Study because it gives students a chance to pause, reset, and decompress during a stressful time,” Katlin Denny, a representative of the Pathways Center wrote. “Even a short interaction with a dog can help students feel calmer and less overwhelmed.”

Denny said the event also brings students together in a unique way.

“It provides a different type of socialization that we don’t often see on campus,” Denny wrote. “Students from all majors and backgrounds come together with one common goal: to pet Jasper.”

With finals, deadlines, and other responsibilities piling up, student mental health becomes a major concern this time of year.

“Many students are balancing academic pressure, lack of sleep, anxiety about grades, and other commitments all at once,” Denny wrote. “Supporting mental health during this time helps students manage stress and perform at their best.”

Therapy animals like Jasper can play a key role in that support by offering comfort in a simple but meaningful way.

“Animals offer comfort without judgment,” Denny wrote. “Their presence can feel calming and reassuring in a way that another person can’t always provide.”

Denny emphasized that providing stress-relief resources is essential for colleges. 

“Student success isn’t just about academics,” Denny wrote. “When colleges offer resources like therapy dogs and wellness events, it shows students that their well-being matters.”

Jasper’s visit is part of a broader effort by Waynesburg University to create a supportive environment for students, especially during high-pressure times like finals week.

McNichols wrote that the goal is simple: to give students a moment to breathe. 

“Lots of similes, warmth, and connection,” McNichols wrote. “That’s what we hope students experience when they spend time with Jasper.”