In case you missed it, QCC has a new four-legged friend roaming the halls. The QCC Police Department welcomed the arrival of its first community resource dog, a 12-week-old English Cream Golden Retriever named Siggy. Students will be able to pet, play with, and snuggle up to Siggy to help relieve stress.
Community resource dogs have become a common practice for both educational institutions and police departments across the country. Interacting with a community resource dog can have tremendous benefits for students' mental and emotional health. Studies have shown that petting a friendly dog like Siggy can offer benefits such as improving mood, lowering blood pressure and soothing anxiety.
All of the above are common issues among college students. The calming effect of a dog's presence can be especially beneficial in situations where students are dealing with trauma, stress, or special needs. Having his playful presence around campus will give students a much-needed mental study break to play and de-stress. What better way to melt away worries before an exam?
Siggy is currently being trained by Golden Opportunities for Independence, a local program that specializes in training dogs to be calm and confident around people in busy environments. He already knows basic commands and is showing promise in becoming a valued asset at the college. Upon completion of his training, students, faculty, and staff will be able to submit requests to spend time with Siggy during specific hours.
Community Resource Officer Nicholas Yacuzzi is supervising Siggy, and will reside with Officer Yacuzzi and his family when he is not on duty. More updates will be provided as Siggy continues his training and integrates into the college. You may even see him on campus soon making his rounds… but don’t wait for that. You can follow Siggy on Instagram TODAY! @OfficerSiggy_QCCpd
And don't forget to check out the Spectrum News spot on Siggy and Officer Yacuzzi!