Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– The flash of golden hair, the pitter patter of paws and a damp nuzzle from a nose may not sound like the cure to any ailments, but when it arrives in the friendly form of Rudy, Stephen F. Austin State University’s newest golden employee, that’s where the magic happens.
SFA’s Counseling Services is now offering animal-assisted therapy with their new golden retriever, Rudy, to help manage student’s mental health.
“One of the most beautiful aspects of animal-assisted therapy with Rudy is witnessing how naturally he senses and responds to human emotions,” said Holly Randall, SFA counselor. “If someone is feeling down, he might nudge their hand for comfort or bring over a toy, inviting them to play and lift their spirits. Each interaction is unique, but Rudy’s purpose is always the same: to offer warmth, joy and a quiet reminder that no one has to face life’s challenges alone.”
Randall and her therapy partner, Rudy, spent the past year training to become a certified therapy team with Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals and the American Kennel Club.
For years, Randall dreamed of having a therapy dog of her own. Rudy, who she named after the beloved sports film of the same name, came into Randall’s life in March 2024. Randall joined the AAIP and completed over 50 hours of coursework, eventually passing a certification exam to become a certified animal-assisted therapist, and Rudy was required to take weekly training sessions and obedience training.
“The journey for me and Rudy to become a certified therapy team for SFA took nearly a year. It truly would not have been possible without the unwavering support and encouragement from so many people both on and off campus,” Randall said. “With our certification complete, we began preparing to bring Rudy to campus. The process moved faster than I had imagined, as campus leadership and staff had been eagerly anticipating our official certification. They welcomed the new program with excitement, knowing it would bring a valuable service to our students.”
According to Randall, dogs have an extraordinary ability to detect changes in stress levels through both scent and behavior. Within moments of meeting someone, Rudy can pick up on stress hormones like cortisol, as well as subtle changes in breathing, posture or tone of voice.
“Petting a dog for as little as two minutes can lower stress hormones, while also increasing oxytocin, the hormone associated with social bonding and emotional well-being, reducing the symptoms of depression, creating higher self-esteem and greater social support,” said Clare Fite, director of Counseling Services.
Rudy can often be found visiting the athletic training rooms or attending athletic events to offer comfort to student athletes. During midterms and finals week, Rudy will make rounds visiting Steen Library to provide students solace before their big exams.
“As a therapist, not everyone I see throughout my day is happy and smiling — it's simply the nature of the work,” Randall said. “However, with Rudy as my therapy partner, I can confidently say that no matter what a student is facing, they leave with a smile. Just by being present or lying next to their feet, Rudy provides comfort and acceptance, helping them leave with a renewed sense of happiness. It honestly leaves me speechless that, with over 20 years of experience as a therapist, something that would take me hours, days, or even weeks to achieve, Rudy can do in mere minutes, simply by being present or engaging with a student.”
Rudy officially began working on campus in January with individual therapy sessions and Counseling Services’ Pause with the Paws event starting on Feb. 14. Approximately 82 students engaged with Rudy outside of the Baker Pattillo Student Center, taking a well-deserved break to alleviate stress and have a playful moment with Rudy.
“Adding Rudy to the team has been a dream for many of us,” said Dr. Andrew Dies, assistant vice president of student affairs and dean of students. “We are so excited about the positive work he has already done and the work he will continue to do. The constant innovation and collaboration from Counseling Services, under the leadership of Clare Fite, demonstrates the dedication to student success the Dean of Students units have.”
Students are encouraged to drop by the student center 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Friday to meet Rudy, or submit a request through the Lumberjack Wellness Network webpage for a visit or event where students can spend time with Rudy and experience his gentle, friendly presence that helps ease stress.
“No matter where he is on campus, students are always encouraged to stop by for a quick pet or impromptu belly rub and they always leave smiling with a little more joy than when they arrived,” Randall said. “Not only does Rudy bring happiness and calm to those he meets, but these interactions also give me the chance to educate students about available mental health resources, helping to ‘axe the stigma’ surrounding mental health across campus.”