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Duo Dog Woody

Saint 浪花直播 University has welcomed Woody, a two-year-old English Labrador retriever, to support the University's commitment to well-being by helping to decrease stress and improve moods through interactions with SLU students, faculty, and staff.

Woody reclines while wearing a vest that says Duo Facility dog, looking soulfully off camera.
Woody reclines while wearing a vest that says Duo Facility dog, looking soulfully off camera.
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Woody wears a pointy birthday hat that says 2.
Woody wears a pointy birthday hat that says 2.
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Three students smile as they pet Woody.
Three students smile as they pet Woody.
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Woody sits on an outdoor balcony. The Gateway Arch is in the background, perfectly centered above his head.
Woody sits on an outdoor balcony. The Gateway Arch is in the background, perfectly centered above his head.
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A student, seated, scratches Woody under the chin.
A student, seated, scratches Woody under the chin.
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Woody looks attentively at something while reclined on the floor. A circular dog toy is around his front leg.
Woody looks attentively at something while reclined on the floor. A circular dog toy is around his front leg.
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Woody reclines on the floor with a soulful expression. A chew toy rests between his front legs.
Woody reclines on the floor with a soulful expression. A chew toy rests between his front legs.
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Woody the Facility Dog, sitting up wearing a facility dog vest

SLU partnered with Duo Dogs to welcome a facility dog on campus in alignment with our broader mental health and well-being efforts. As a full-time support resource, Woody will:

  • Provide courage and comfort in uncomfortable situations or spaces
  • Increase self-confidence and self-esteem
  • Assist in overcoming emotional barriers and re-establish trust
  • Decrease stress and overwhelming anxiety 

If you see Woody around campus, feel free to say hello!

 

Duo Touch Therapy Dogs

Saint 浪花直播 University works with Duo Dogs to bring their Touch Therapy teams to campus each academic year. 

2024-2025 Academic Year Schedule 

From 1-2:30 p.m. in Pius XII Memorial Library:

  • Wednesday, Sept. 25
  • Wednesday, Oct. 16
  • Friday, Dec. 6
  • Wednesday, Feb. 5
  • Wednesday, March 5
  • Tuesday, May 6

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of breed is Woody and who are his handlers?

Woody is a yellow English Labrador retriever. His handlers include Tori Harwood, primary handler (Campus Recreation & Wellness); Rebecca Weiser, secondary handler (University Counseling Center); Matt Davis, secondary handler (Provost Office); and Eric Anderson - secondary handler (Student Development).

What is Woody鈥檚 role on campus, and why did SLU choose to get a Facility Dog?

Woody will assist with decreasing stress, improving moods, and promoting overall well-being through interactions with our students, faculty, and staff on campus. We like to think of Woody as an employee who comes to serve our community daily. 

SLU partnered with Duo Dogs to welcome a facility dog on campus in alignment with our broader mental health and well-being efforts. As a full-time support resource, Woody will:

  • Provide courage and comfort in uncomfortable situations or spaces
  • Increase self-confidence and self-esteem
  • Assist in overcoming emotional barriers and re-establish trust
  • Decrease stress and overwhelming anxiety 
What is the difference between a service dog, facility dog, therapy dog, and emotional support animal?

According to Assistance Dogs International, Inc., the accreditation that certifies all Duo Dogs, Inc. canines:

Service dogs help individuals with disabilities. They undergo rigorous training to perform specific duties related to the individual's diagnosed disability. They are trained for tasks such as pulling a wheelchair, bracing, retrieving, alerting or helping with a medical crisis. Service dogs are also trained to perform tasks for other conditions including autism, PTSD, epilepsy or diabetes.

Facility dogs undergo similar training to service dogs but are specifically trained to work with handlers in residential homes, clinics, or organizations. They carry out specific, skilled tasks with multiple clients and must be more than simply a presence in the facility. An ADI member must train the handler. The facility dog is authorized to work within the assigned facility only. Facility dogs do not have public access rights and do not fall under the protection of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Therapy dogs are usually in-home pets that can be trained to provide comfort and affection to people other than their owners. This is usually on a volunteer basis when the dogs and their owners visit schools, hospitals, or other public places. Therapy dogs are temporary visitors and are not constantly present at a facility. 

Emotional support animals provide companionship, relieve loneliness, and sometimes help with depression, anxiety, and certain phobias, but do not have special training to perform tasks that assist people with disabilities. Emotional support animals do not have public access and are not supported for public access from the Americans for Disability Act (from the ADA).

Where is Woody allowed on campus? 

Woody is allowed in all facilities on campus except lactation rooms, food preparation areas, serving and dining areas, SLU vans, shuttles, mechanical rooms, kitchen areas, any laboratories, buildings that house comparative medicine facilities, and the data centers (located in Des Peres Hall, Doisy 浪花直播 Center, and the Caroline Building).

Why is Woody allowed in spaces where my ESA may not be allowed?

As a facility dog, Woody has had extensive training to assist with stress reduction and increase positive well-being when he interacts with individuals. He also trains daily and will recertify every year. There are specific policies in place that allow Woody to engage with the SLU community and to ensure everyone stays safe. 

How should I interact with Woody when I meet or see him?

If you would like to pet Woody, just let his handlers know at that time. Woody really loves people, so he will come up to you after permission is given and smell your legs or feet. Woody enjoys pets on his back and sometimes belly rubs! He just asks that people don鈥檛 hover over him or get face-to-face with him during interactions. 

When is Woody鈥檚 birthday?

Woody was born on March 13, 2022. 

How did Woody get his name?

Duo Dogs, Inc. gives each litter a theme. Woody鈥檚 litter is the 鈥渢ree litter,鈥 so all of his litter mates are named after trees. 

Am I allowed to give Woody treats or food?

No. Woody is on a strict diet and enrichment schedule. Only his handlers are allowed to give him treats while training or his dog food. 

Can Woody play or interact with my dog on campus?

No, Woody is a working animal supporting our campus community.  Our handlers will not allow nose-to-nose interaction with other dogs.

What if I am allergic to dogs? 

Woody is a yellow English Labrador Retriever and is not hypoallergenic. Please let our handler know if you are allergic to dogs so that we can maintain appropriate space and distance. Individuals are not required to interact with Woody. Each handler has a space in their office for him and alternative meeting locations can be accommodated for individuals with allergies.

What if I鈥檓 afraid of dogs? 

Duo Facility Dog Woody has been specially trained to work with individuals and must always be on leash when interacting with people. Please let our handler know if you are uncomfortable around dogs so that we can maintain appropriate distance. Of course, individuals are not required to interact with Woody.

Does Woody live on campus?

No, Woody lives with his primary handler, Tori. He travels with her to SLU Monday-Friday and leaves at the end of the day to return home. 

How long can we expect Woody to work at SLU?

Woody is expected to work up to around 10 years old, unless any unforeseen circumstances or health ailments arise that wouldn鈥檛 allow him to continue his work.

If Woody could talk, what would he say?

I love getting pets, bringing joy and smiles to faces, and I love my job!