Sandy can be visited every Tuesday, from 4 to 5 p.m. in the lobby area of the GovState library, a change from Sandy’s hours last fall semester.
Sandy brings comfort and peace to students and staff, in between busy days. Feel free to stop by and get some dopamine (happy hormones) released after meeting Sandy.
Professor Stephen Hyzny, Sandy’s guardian, describes how Sandy once went up to a group of students and how “she would go person to person, giving each person, their attention and time.” It seems to be part of Sandys character of thoughtfulness, kindness, and a natural inclination to understand how to share her bond with humans.
Sandy has such an impact on our campus that some faculty and staff give her snacks and treats before she goes to the library for student visits.
When visiting Sandy on Tuesday last week, Sandy was calmly chilling on the floor, open to pets and connection.
Sandy will be having a goodbye party on April 22, an event open to everyone, with artwork of Sandy from children who met her many times.
Sandy has been on campus as a therapy and emotional support dog for 8 years, and due to health reasons, she will be retiring at the end of this semester.
During the winter break, Sandy started a new treatment with receiving regular monthly shots for her arthritis, Hyzny said.
Sandy has been, and continues to be, a vital figure of our campus, for all of the students and staff, plus the children in the family development center’s daycare, who also love seeing her whenever she visits.
Also as a quick plug, simply search ‘sandythetherapydog’ on your regular social media accounts, where there are small updates of Sandy throughout her days with Hyzny. For more info on what apps she’s on, and a little history of Sandy’s work as a therapy dog, visit my first article on her here.