BLUEFIELD, VA (LOOTPRESS)– Bluefield College announced Wednesday evening a unique new student will join the returning students.
Hazel, a white Labrador, born in April 2021, is joining Bluefield College as its new therapy dog. She’s owned by Dean and Professor of Nursing, Dr. Jessica Sharp.
Dr. Sharp came up with the idea of a therapy dog after the death of her Labrador. She thought it could help students in the Counseling and Wellness center at Bluefield.
“Animals bring people joy. She will be a nice addition to campus. When people need a moment away from their desks, they can come love on Hazel,” said Dr. Sharp.
Dr. Sharp named her Hazel after Brig. Gen. Hazel Johnson-Brown, the first Black chief of the Army Corps and first Black female brigadier general. She graduated from the Harlem Hospital School of Nursing and then joined the Army in 1955. After that, she was a professor at George Mason University and Georgetown University. Dr. Sharp attended George Mason University, where she was a student of Johnson-Brown.
Director of Counseling and Wellness, Emily Cook, says that she isn’t automatically a certified therapy dog.
“Her first class is Puppy Class. After graduating from Puppy Class, she will go on to Beginner’s Class, Intermediate Class, Advanced Class, and finally Therapy Dog training,” said Cook.
Hazel begins training in August with four courses in six-week increments. She will currently serve as an emotional support animal.
For more information, contact Director of Public Relations, Rebecca Kasey at rebecca.kasey@bluefield.edu.