Sandy the Therapy Dog is here for visits!

Sandy has been a fixture at GSU for over six years, bringing warmth and support to student and staff visitors.

Sandy who is 13, went through training to become a therapy dog.  At the time when she first got trained, Sandy was around 5 years old, with her owner Steve Hyzny, a GSU professor teaching in the IT department, by her side.

Hyzny met and adopted Sandy at just 8 weeks old. Sandy was a rescue dog, and she ended up being a  rescuer herself.  She brings calm and comfort to numerous people, including students at GSU and patients through treatment.

While meeting her I was kindly greeted, and shown so much attention. Sandy visits campus once a week, every Monday 2:30 – 3:30pm, in the Library Main Lobby.

Visiting offices, and staff as she walks around campus, over time the relationship has led people to want to know more about what and how Sandy does what she does. And so, Hyzny decided to set up platforms. Depending on the platform you prefer the title to search is, “Sandy Therapy Dog”-  on Facebook, Tiktok, Instagram, and YouTube.

Hyzny kindly shared other details of Sandy’s off-duty life: Sandy loves snacks, but her favorite is pizza bone treats, and she loves the beach but doesn’t like to get in the water very much.

Sandy was trained at the Shriners Children Hospital, and she continues to spend some of her time and energy at hospitals. She recently visited The Family Development Center around our campus. Where some of the children stood from a far and some ran up to her., to greet her.

Sandy is well known on campus and loved by many, if you’d like to get to no her more in person, stop by and say hi to Sandy on Mondays from 2:30 to 3:30 pm.