Pawsitive Pause promotes mental health awareness

Lily Cole

Deputy Editor

The attendees on Pawsitive Pause’s second meeting light up as Emma, a golden retriever, and Irena “Kiki” Markovits, Emma’s handler walk in.

According to Markovits, Emma has been working her whole life, starting as a service dog but transitioning to therapy after being adopted by Markovits. 

“She’s a diva but loves her job,” Markovits said. “This is her specialty; she lies down and feels the energy of you to make sure everyone is okay.”

The idea for Pawsitive Pause stemmed from Sarah Lawton, a student at WCC and the club’s president, desire to expand Therapaws, a similar event on campus that fosters mental health awareness. She adds that she wanted to bring therapy dogs in more often than once a month. 

With Lawton’s club in mind, a National Library of Medicine study reports that short interactions with a therapy dog can significantly reduce self-reported anxiety and distress levels, showcasing therapy dogs’ positive impacts on mental health. 

Lawton said she invites anyone who comes by the door to stop by, saying the club is for dog lovers but open to anyone. 

“It [Pawsitive Pause] brings mid-day stress relief and a smile to people’s faces,” she said. Adding that listening to stories, especially Emma and Markovits’, can unlock memories of an old dog or the wish for a dog at home to be a therapy dog, both of which bring happy thoughts. 

“We officially have 13 members right now, but we’re trying to get the word out,” Lawton said. 

Visit Pawsitive Pause on Wednesdays from 12-1 p.m. in LA259.

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of the name of Pawsitive Pause club leader, Sarah Lawton. 

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