On Monday, Dec. 16, a group of Certified Therapy Dogs, along with their owners who are students at Positively Best Friends! Dog Training and Canine Activity Center, went to Bowdoin College in Brunswick, for a “comfort visit” with some stressed-out students. Bernie, an Old English Sheepdog owned by May Mitchell; Tugboat, a Bernese Mountain Dog owned by Barbara Gibson, Bravo, a Miniature Poodle owned by Lisa Best; and Riot, an Australian Shepherd owned by Marcia Welch returned, by invitation, to Bowdoin for a second visit.

Their first visit was last spring when the students were studying for their final exams. At that time, the dogs visited with about 90 students. The most recent visit came at the conclusion of “Reading Week” as students were again preparing for exams before going home for Christmas. The Therapy Dogs and their owners visited with over 200 students.

Final exam time can be an extremely stressful and demanding time for many students. Interacting with the dogs provided a fun and welcome break from their studies as the Therapy Dogs were able to provide comfort for the young people. Many of the students have dogs at home and miss the day-to-day companionship with their family pets.

A staff member at Bowdoin said, “Students of every possible description were lined up together and united for a brief time in their mutual yearning for doggie affection. It was heartwarming.”

Positively Best Friends! Dog Training and Canine Activity Center offers a variety of classes and activities for dogs and their owners. Among the classes offered are those that prepare dogs for Evaluation so that they can become Certified Therapy Dogs.

Positively Best Friends! Dog Training and Canine Activity Center is located on Route 27 in Edgecomb. For a list of class offerings, other events, activities and contact information visit their website www.positivelybestfriends.com.