Post Secondary
CAAWLS has regular programming at most of the post-secondary institutions in Edmonton. The main goal of these programs is to help combat student stress. Studies have repeatedly shown numerous positive outcomes following interactions with animals, including but not limited to drops in heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones. Sometimes, the unconditional love of a pet is the best way to make students day a little brighter.
University of Alberta
Have you met Penny?
Penny is a University of Alberta (UofA) ambassador. You can see her regularly walking around the transit stations and the Hub entrance with her mom Kerri!
Meet Penny and Kerri
“I’m Kerri, a Peace Officer with the University of Alberta, and I’m all about building connections and supporting mental health, especially with the help of my wellness dog, Penny. With the support of CAAWLS, I created the wellness animal program within my agency to bridge the gap between first responders and the community while also providing much-needed mental health support. The best part? Seeing Penny work her magic. Whether she’s helping a student de-stress or comforting a frontline member after a tough shift, she has a way of bringing people together like nothing else. Watching those little moments of connection happen is what makes it all so rewarding! Penny is an almost 3 year old Golden and Labrador Retriever cross with a big heart and an even bigger appetite for treats. She joined the CAAWLS and University of Alberta Protective Services (UAPS) teams in 2024, bringing comfort and care to the university community and first responders.”
Make sure you stop by to give Penny some pets when you see her on campus!
Have you met Huey?
Norquest
Huey is one of the many CAAWLS wellness dogs that you can see at NorQuest College. Huey joins his mom, Nola at work to visit with students.
Meet Huey and Nola
“My name is Nola. After losing my last dog, I knew I wanted to continue bringing joy to my life through animals. I had been volunteering with various rescues since 2019, and fostering dogs was one of the most rewarding roles I took on. I’ve always had a soft spot for dogs, and I knew that my next dog would be one that I could work with on wellness initiatives, given how much they’ve brought me over the years. I teach psychology at NorQuest College, and when I heard that CAAWLS was partnering with the school, I thought, how great would it be to bring my dog to campus to meet the students. Huey, was my 10th foster pup and I knew from the start he would be a perfect fit for wellness work. He was always such a calm and gentle puppy, I knew he'd thrive in this setting, and he has! In addition to volunteering with CAAWLS, we've continued fostering, welcoming 7 other dogs into our home. The best part of volunteering with CAAWLS is seeing Huey connect with the students. Whether it’s one student who really bonds with him or the calm he brings them on a tough day, it’s a simple joy that never gets old. There's something special about sharing this experience with him, and the smiles on the students’ faces is beyond rewarding. Huey is a 2.5 year old Bernedoodle that was rescued by AARCS at 3.5 months old. When he’s not volunteering you can find Huey napping, walking, playing with his dog friends, or finding the best stick on the block.”
