The start of a new school year at St. Olaf has brought multiple new changes, one of which is the presence of a new furry friend. This fall, St. Olaf welcomed its first care and comfort dog, Bertha.
Bertha is an English Mastiff brought to campus as a resource for students dealing with emotional stress, loneliness, and depression. She is also available if a student simply needs a stable, calming presence.
So far this year, Bertha has been busy meeting with students. From her meet-and-greet event outside Buntrock Commons to dorm visits, the Public Safety Office is ensuring that students are introduced to her.
“Outside of responding to calls for service, she has attended various events and begun her drop-in hours at residence halls,” Associate Director of Public Safety Zita Toth said in an email interview with the Olaf Messenger.
According to Toth, Bertha began training for her position as a care and comfort dog this past spring. She received special training in providing a calming presence during interactions. “Her training went very well. She adapted quickly to the environment and excelled in the areas that are key for a care and comfort dog,” Toth said.
Bertha’s friendly nature gave her the upper-hand for the job, and it’s one of the reasons why she was first considered for the role. “The best part of Bertha’s training was seeing how naturally she took to comforting people. Her temperament has always been calm and approachable, and the training helped prepare her skills for responding to individuals in need,” Toth said.
As the weeks continue and midterms and finals loom over students, Toth says that so far, Bertha has become a “source of joy” for those who need little comfort, and that during high-stress times, she’s helpful.
Bertha is available for students who are in need upon request. Otherwise, she will have drop-in hours for students at residence halls throughout the school year. Refer to the chart for specific dates.
