Paws For Mental Health

Students, staff and faculty on the Lamoni campus gladly followed the invitation of mental health specialist Carl and his human assistant Lisa Prosser-Dodds, PhD, to briefly pause/paws on the busy way to and from the classrooms and offices – and celebrate Carl’s 2nd birthday together.

Prosser-Dodds had lovingly decorated a festive table in the courtyard outside the Newcom Student Union, and a happy gathering stopped by to pet Carl and sign his birthday card, pick up a paw print cupcake, and secure Carl’s very own t-shirt with his message to everyone: Paws For Mental Health.

The on-site and remote mental health services are an integral part of ensuring the well-being of students so they can thrive at and beyond Graceland. Prosser-Dodds’ consultations and counseling sessions provide a caring safe space, empathetic professional guidance, and Carl’s soft fur and soothing demeanor.

Between scritches from all sides, soap bubble chases and his birthday presents, Carl briefly sat down to offer some nibbles of advice for good feels:

• Just as you reach out to give me a nice ear massage, don’t hesitate to reach out for support when things get ruff.
• You’re only hooman: when you feel overwhelmed, it’s okay to retreat for a while into a quiet corner with your stuffed turtle.
• Sometimes in all our daily obligations, anticipations and ruminations, distraction is goo…look, a ball!
• Sleeping is pawesome. Get plenty of sleep to recharge.
• And when the zoomies hit, don’t resist them and go run run run!

Read here how Graceland is setting new standards in student mental health care and support [Link opens to the article “Mental Health Matters” from the Spring 2024 issue of Horizons magazine].