Fury friends on campus. On Thursday, Feb 20, the Jim Dan Hall (JDH) Library partnered with Pat Castellanos to bring therapy-certified animals to campus for students and staff. This collaboration began in 2018 with a recommendation from Dr. Alison Wielgus, communicating arts associate professor at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, who referred the organization Animal Allies, which works with therapy animals. According to Stephanie Waren, library associate director, “The library supports a culture of care. This event is one of the activities offered to support that initiative.”
One of the therapy dogs helps students relax.
Photo by Xavier Walt | The Promethean
Over the years, the JDH Library has hosted therapy animals such as dogs, hedgehogs, and even recently, a polydactyl cat named Polly, who is often found hanging out in the Family Study Room on therapy animal days. The therapy animals are brought to campus twice each semester and can be found in the Mindfulness and Well-Being section of the JDH Library. This event is estimated to host an average of 50-70 participants and is part of the library’s self-care commitment to the UWS campus.
Other activities hosted in the library include yoga, study halls, student organization meetings, book clubs, family activities, and a nap pod. Upcoming spring 2025 events include Get Stuff Done, One Book Northland Book Club, and De-Stress Week.
Photo of the Nap Pods located in the Jim Dan Hill Library.
Photo by Jennifer Cadotte | The Promethean
The JDH Library is located at 907 N 19th Street on the UWS campus. For more information, call (715) 394-8343, email askref@uwsuper.edu, or visit their website at www.library.uwsuper.edu.
