Concordia hires Newton the therapy dog to combat stress, anxiety

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Concordia University has enlisted the help of Newton, a six-month-old Portuguese water dog, to help students cope with anxiety and stress around exam times. Newton is a new member of Concordia’s campus security team, which is making efforts to connect with students more. He works morning and afternoon shifts visiting with students. “Part of our new mandate included making changes for campus safety, and making us more approachable to students,” said Concordia Director of Campus Safety and Prevention Services Darren Dumoulin. “And Newton also addresses the wellness portion of that mandate. We’ve noticed a rise in stress and anxiety on campus, especially since the pandemic.”

Montreal Gazette