Fragala and Ellie
David Scibilia/The Bona Venture
BY: DAVID SCIBILIA, FEATURES EDITOR
Friday mornings, Donna Dombek, an assistant professor for childhood education at St. Bonaventure University, has no issue with tardiness. Roughly a third of the class comes 10-15 minutes early — but not for extra help.
Ellie, the therapy dog, has made routine visits the past couple of years around Bonaventure’s campus — including Dombek’s Friday morning classes. Registered with Therapy Dogs International — an organization that helps train therapy dogs — Ellie has traveled across campus, from the Friedsam Library, to Plassmann Hall, to the quad between the Reilly Center and Plassmann. On Friday mornings, Dombek tries to bring Ellie to her classes.
“I’ve visited Ellie many times,” said Lilo Fragala, a freshman triple certification education major. “I love animals and I miss my cat, so seeing Ellie helps.”
Therapy dogs and their handlers volunteer to go to places such as schools and provide comfort, affection, and love in the course of their work. This differs from service dogs, who are trained to perform certain tasks for their human companions, according to the American Kennel Club website.
“We only go where we’re invited,” said Dombek. “I can’t just walk through the halls of Plassmann; we need an explicit invitation. But once we have one [like on the quad], anyone can come and visit us. We’re here to provide love to everyone, but on invitation only.”
From a young age, Ellie, the now eight-year-old beagle mix, showed the qualities of a therapy dog. Her comfortability with meeting new people and calm demeanor made her a perfect candidate, said Dombek, owner of Ellie said.
“[Ellie] is very loving, compassionate and devoted,” said Dombek. “She’s never met a stranger.”
Fragala said she hoped to see the university expand its efforts to get more animals to visit Bonaventure.
“I wish [Bonaventure] and the SPCA would collab,” said Fragala. “Either with students going there or have [the SPCA] bring cats and dogs here.”
Dombek was looking for an area of research when she adopted Ellie from the ASPCA.
“I was very fortunate enough that I was able to — one year during the sabbatical leave — do a research study with [Ellie] in a public education classroom,” said Dombek. “The research question was, does the presence of the therapy dog in a regular education classroom have an effect on the student’s socio-emotional well-being? And my results were yes.”
After returning, Dombek started the process of hosting stress relief events for Bonaventure students.
“It was a very in-depth process,” said Dombek. “I had to go through Dan Hungerford’s office and provide proof of insurance, sign a waiver, and get permission from the [university’s] lawyers.”
Dombek has to re-submit papers each year to ensure Ellie is still able to come to campus, said Dombek.
Dombek said the process is well worth the reactions from students.
“I see the value in [bringing Ellie to campus]. I see the smiles on the students’ faces. I see the tension release when they’ve had a hard day and they just come and sit and pat her for a while, especially during final exam times,” said Dombek. “The number of times I have seen students crying on her back or rejoicing over a test that had gone well — it’s a calling to me. I have the ability to provide this service and I want to continue to do so.”
scibild22@bonaventure.edu
