Meet Duo Dog Woody: SLU’s Campus Comfort Companion
Victoria shares how SLU’s beloved Duo Dog Woody brings comfort and stress relief to students across campus.
One of my favorite aspects of SLU is Duo Dog Woody — the most loving English Labrador retriever I have ever come across! Woody can often be found roaming North and South Campus with his handlers. I’ve been able to pet him in the Simon Recreation Center, the lobby of Pius XII Memorial Library and Fresh Gatherings Cafe on South Campus.
Woody also holds “office hours,” where he is stationed in a specific location for one to three hours at a time. While the location may change, Woody is always his same comforting self whenever you see him!
Woody's main goal on campus is to help relieve stress, boost self-esteem and provide a sense of comfort to students and staff. For example, I once felt very stressed while studying for an upcoming exam in Pius Library. Woody was stationed in the lobby, and just petting him for a couple of minutes lifted my mood and completely changed my perspective going into the test. Even a short interaction with him can make a big difference.
The difference between a Duo Dog and a service dog is in the type of support they provide. A facility dog (like Woody) receives specialized training to work with multiple people in different settings, rather than being paired with just one individual like a traditional service dog.
I get so excited every time I have the opportunity to see Woody; he always brings a smile to my face. Next time you’re on SLU’s campus, keep an eye out for Duo Dog Woody. He’d love to say hi!
Victoria is a junior at Saint Louis University studying radiation therapy and urban poverty studies. She is originally from Cedar Rapids, Iowa.