Cerritos College
Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Therapy dog on campus

Social psychology class raises money
Therapy+dog
Crlos Houlquin
Hudson is a dog used in the Student Health Center that has been trained to help out students as a type of therapy.

Hudson is a very busy dog, not only is he a therapy dog who is used in the Student Health Center, he has helped raise money for animal shelters.

On Monday, May 13, a group of students from a social psychology class set up on the sidewalk outside the library to raise money for the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority.

Hudson is a dog used in the Student Health Center that has been trained to help out students as a type of therapy.

According to the organization’s website the group was established in 1975, and that “SEAACA is committed to providing programs for the caring of abandoned and unwanted pets, reuniting lost pets with their families and matching new homes for adoptable pets.”

Animal shelters were underrepresented

Psychology major Delmy Rodriguez said that the group had to choose an organization to raise funds for, and that they felt that animal shelters were underrepresented.

“We chose SEEACA, because I believe animals are the most forgotten… because everyone gives fund to donate to women’s battered shelter, or situations like that.”

Rodriguez explained that Hudson was there to help attract students to the group’s booth and show how a dog adopted from a shelter can help people.

“It gives people incentive to donate because they get to see what kind of animals that are in the animal shelter. It kind of tugs at people’s hearts.”

Helpful for patients

Hillary Mennella, Hudson’s owner and a nurse practitioner at the Student Health Center, says that having therapy dogs at the center has been helpful for patients.

While Mennella has owned Hudson for seven years she started bringing him to the center two months ago and he has already had an effect on patients.

“Basically (Hudson is) there to provide comfort for the patients. We don’t force the dog in the room if they don’t like animals.

For example (the Student Health Center) had a patient last week who was having a panic attack and she was really upset and was crying. She was OK with having a dog during the visit and he went right up to her and calmed her down, (until) she stopped crying,” Mannella said.

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About the Contributor
Daniel Green, Managing Editor
Fall 2014 Daniel Green is a third year member of Talon Marks and the current Managing Editor. He started as the Associate News Editor and later became News Editor. He was born back east in Waterbury, Connecticut and moved to California as a baby. Even though he wasn't born here he considers California his home. He lived in Vermont during his teenage years learning snow is overrated and that California's one season is superior to the four seasons the rest of the country shares. In his off time he enjoys exercising, exploring new places, being with friends and reading. Daniel believes dogs are the best pets but cat are acceptable. He likes movies and comics and will argue about Spider-man with anyone. Daniel also looks forward to the day he will finally vanquish his foe Carlos Holguin from the face of the Earth.
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Therapy dog on campus