Facility Dog Program at CSUSM

The Power of Paws

We are happy to launch a Facility/Therapy Dog (F/T Dog) program at CSUSM. This program offers a powerful way to prioritize student mental health and well-being. College life often brings high levels of stress that can impact students’ mental health and overall well-being. F/T Dog programs have proven effective in mitigating this stress, fostering a healthier campus environment, and enhancing the college experience. Our goal is for Frank, CSUSM’s Facility Dog, to regularly engage with students, faculty, staff, and administrators across campus. To ensure this, Frank will undergo proper training, receive regular veterinary care, and be provided a healthy diet, all managed by his handler, Tracy Daly. Frank is a Golden Doodle and is considered to be hypoallergenic as he does not shed and produces much less dander than non-doodle or poodle breeds. This project, sustained entirely by philanthropic donations, allows us to support Frank’s ongoing needs.

Meet Frank - CSUSM's very own facility dog! Frank is more than a petting dog! Interacting with Frank can help shift your nervous system from stress to calm.

Stress Mode ⇒ ⇒ ⇒ Calm Mode

Stress hormones (cortisol, adrenaline) increase
Heart rate & blood pressure rise
Muscles tense
Breathing becomes shallow
Mind races, focus narrows
Feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, disconnection

Oxytocin & serotonin increase (feel-good chemicals)
Heart rate & blood pressure lower
Muscles relax
Breathing slows & deepens
Mind quiets, presence returns
Feelings of safety, belonging, connection, and well-being

We arrive

Stress shows up in the body and mind. We feel rushed, overwhelmed, or disconnected.

We pause

We pet. We breathe. We connect with Frank. In this moment, we are here. That is enough.

The shift

Touch, connection, and presence with Frank activate the parasympathetic nervous system - interrupting the stress response.

We restore

Our bodies and minds return to balance. We feel calmer, clearer, and more connected.

Grounded in Science

Research suggests human-animal interaction may support para-sympathetic activation, stress reduction, and feeling of connection and well-being.

Sources: Fine. 2010; Beetz et al., 2012; Nimer & Lundahl, 2007