Hartford Courant · May 1, 2020
Community college students to get virtual pet therapy during coronavirus
Therapy dog Wrigley with Manchester Community College students. The college has hosted a de-stressing pet therapy program before final exams for the past five years. This year, the program has to be virtual.(Courtesy of Laurel Rabschutz)Adapting a hands-on program for the coronavirus pandemic, Manchester Community College will offer “virtual pet therapy” sessions as students head into final exams next week.
An important part of the college’s stress relief service — the feel of feline fur or a canine’s cool nose — will be missing from the video sessions, but pet therapy expert Laurel Rabschutz said just the sights and sounds of pooches and pussycats could provide some benefit.