Pets Assisting with Student Success
Experience Pawsitive Vibes at NAITSA with PAWSS Dogs!
Welcome to the official webpage for the Pets Assisting with Student Success (PAWSS) program at NAITSA! We recognize the positive impact that animals can have on our overall wellbeing including mental health and stress reduction. NAITSA provides a space on campus where students can enjoy interacting with our beloved PAWSS dogs.
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About NAITSA PAWSS program
Pets Assisting with Student Success (PAWSS) is a program offering animal-assisted interactions. We recognize the positive impact that animals can have on our overall wellbeing including mental health and stress reduction. NAITSA provides a space on campus where students can enjoy interacting with our beloved PAWSS dogs.
Need a Study Break? Meet a Furry Friend at NAITSA!
Need a break from studying or just want to brighten your day by a visit with a furry companion?
Stop by the NAITSA office any time during scheduled drop-in hours and request to see the PAWSS dog on shift.
*Availability is subject to change.
See who’s in today!
Meet our PAWSS Dogs
Bristol
Birthday: July 13th
Breed: Border Collie
Meet Bristol! Bristol’s favourite toy is… everything and anything that is a toy! His favourite activities are getting pets and eating (dog) cookies.
Fun fact about Bristol: He has travelled overseas multiple times as an agility competitor representing Team Canada.
Chester
Birthday: September 16th
Breed: Australian Labradoodle
Meet Chester! Chester’s favourite toy is a “stuffy” (stuffed animal with all stuffing removed, of course). His favourite activity is chasing a laser pointer up and down the hallway; getting his belly rubbed is a close second.
Fun fact about Chester: He likes his water fresh; so fresh that at home he will jump into the bathtub and bark to ask for the tap to be turned on for a drink.
Kohda
Birthday: August 2nd
Breed: Shih tzu mix
Meet Kohda! Kohda’s favourite toy is a squeaky hedgehog and he especially loves to play with it while everyone is sleeping. His favourite activity is sleeping and getting his ears pet.
Fun fact about Kohda: Kohda is Brazilian and doesn’t know any commands in English, but he will do any tricks for treats. He also loves tomatoes!
Lola
Birthday: December 12th
Breed: Toy poodle
Meet Lola! Lola’s favourite toys are bouncing balls, rubber toys or just a simple wood stick. Her favourite activities are napping in her princess bed, watching birds on the cat tree, or visiting the park.
Fun fact about Lola: Lola gives the best hugs and cuddles, but you have to work for puppy kisses! She will do tricks for her favourite dog treats.
Momo
Birthday: October 30th
Breed: Samoyed
Meet MoMo! MoMo’s favourite toys are pretty much any soft squeaky toys and balls. Her favourite activity is to step her paws into cold water (shallow pool, river, muddy pond, etc.) because it feels nice and is fun, although she doesn’t like swimming or baths.
Fun fact about MoMo: MoMo knows some commands in Mandarin but she will do almost anything you ask in any language as long as there’s treats.
Winnie
Birthday: June 27th
Breed: Golden Retriever
Meet Winnie! Winnie’s favourite toy is her stuffed pink elephant. Her favourite activity is going on walks and will jump for joy the whole time, with a few breaks to roll around in the grass.
Fun fact about Winnie: Winnie was rescued from a puppy mill and adopted from Kelowna. She can be a bit shy at first but will give you the very best snuggles once she is comfortable.
Rusty
Birthday: May 13
Breed: Beagle
Meet Rusty! I really love snuggling with my older sister Ruby, the Beagle (she is also a PAWSS dog), and sleeping on my mom’s pillow… but I have to be honest, I love going out for a walk in the neighbourhood with my papa!
Fun fact about Rusty: I am a laboratory test survivor. Yes, some bad people used to do pharmaceutical tests on me. But I was rescued and found my mom, dad and sister, and I am in a much better place now. Even though I am recovering from some bad trauma, I am a very good boy and I love people.
Ruby
Birthday: November 1st
Breed: Beagle
Meet Ruby! Ruby’s favourite toy is anything that doesn’t belong to her, like other dogs’ stuffed toys or socks. Ruby’s favourite activities are going for neighbourhood walks and digging holes in the backyard, especially wherever it is muddy!
Fun fact about Ruby: Ruby loves zucchini and is bilingual. You can give her commands in Portuguese or English, but she’ll only follow them for treats.
Tricks
Birthday: May 26
Breed: Beagle
Favourite toy: my orange ball
Favourite thing to do: sleeping, or playing with my beagle sister and cousin!
Something amazing about me you should know: What’s not amazing about me that you should know?! I can sleep through any sounds; thunder, my mom scream-singing Taylor Swift, you name it.