PBSC’s therapy dogs bring comfort, connection and opportunity

On any given Tuesday on Palm Beach State College’s Lake Worth campus, the mood inside the Center for Student Well-Being is unmistakably lighter. The reason? Two golden retrievers named Rudder and Marlin, whose wagging tails and joyful faces have become one of the most anticipated sights of the week.

The College recently launched a Therapy Dog Program in partnership with the Center for Student Well-Being, an idea that took shape during the sabbatical of professor Dr. Suzie Duff, a licensed mental health counselor and proud owner of Rudder and Marlin.

During her time away from teaching, she recognized that her beloved canine companions had the perfect temperament to comfort others and decided to pursue official training for them.

“I wanted to find new ways to support students and their mental health, and this idea just clicked as it brings us back to the simplicity of joyful connection.”

After earning their Canine Good Citizen certifications through the American Kennel Club, then their therapy dog certifications through the local nonprofit Canine Assisted Therapy, the duo was ready to get to work.

Every Tuesday from about 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Rudder and Marlin can be found greeting students, faculty, and staff who stop by the Center to unwind, pet and play. The experience, according to many, has quickly become a key part of campus life.

Health and human services major Jacqueline Kaleel first heard about the program through PBSC’s Summer Bridge program and plans to come every Tuesday.

“I get a boost of serotonin after spending time with Rudder and Marlin,” she said, smiling. “It’s made such a difference in my week overall.” 

But the impact of the program reaches well beyond stress relief. Duff and the Center for Student Well-Being are partnering with Canine Assisted Therapy to train and certify Counseling Center staff, interns and PBSC students as therapy dog handlers.

This collaboration—uniting Student Services, Academic Affairs, and community partners—has already proven to be a success. Four participants, including Duff and Robin Russo, the director of the Center for Student Well-Being, have completed their handler certifications, while four others are currently in training.

Among the trainees are Center for Student Well-Being interns Lisa Kinston and Taylor Cole, who are pursuing careers in mental health counseling and social work, respectively.

Both believe the hands-on training will enrich their professional futures. “Dogs can really help people regulate their emotions,” Kinston explained. “It’s wonderful that PBSC is now offering this training because it will only add to our experience and help us better help our future patients.”

Since launching in Spring 2024, the program has already brought comfort and connection to more than 200 PBSC students, both in the Center and at campus events.

For Duff and Russo, the long-term vision goes far beyond Palm Beach State. Their hope is to develop a framework that other colleges and universities can adopt—offering not only therapy dog visits but also opportunities for students and staff to become certified handlers themselves.

“This program is about more than just the joy of being around animals,” Duff said. “It’s about creating a supportive, mindful environment that encourages emotional well-being—and empowering our students to be part of that work.”