BGSU PAWS Team
The BGSU PAWS Team is a dedicated group of campus and community volunteers and certified therapy dogs. The team hosts events on BGSU campuses throughout the year and is also available by request. This program is part of the Office of Health and Wellness at BGSU and offers programing to support the BGSU community in all aspects of well-being.
Positive impacts of animal therapy:
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Decreased feelings of loneliness, pain, and fatigue
- Increased feelings of safety
- Decreased risk for cardiovascular disease
- Increased physical exercise
PAWS stands for Partners in Achieving Wellness for Students, staff, and faculty. All PAWS dogs are certified by the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Certified therapy dogs must be friendly, patient, confident, gentle, and at ease in all situations.
PAWS Team Events
Meet the Therapy Dogs
Barli
Breed: Bernedoodle
Birthdate: 7/31/2021
Family: Jeffrey
Major: Master of Science in Nutrition (Bulking)
Wellness Practices: Relaxing! He loves to take naps with dad.
Fun Fact: Barli weighs 146 lbs.
Bennington (a.k.a. Benny) George
Breed: Newfoundland
Birthdate: 01/02/2017
Family: Carol T.
Social Media: @bennington_george
Major: Bachelor of Science in Public Relations. I am also a certified reading instructor and boat captain.
Wellness Practices: I enjoy swimming, exploring for dropped food and lost toys on walks. I also sing in a choir and I’m on the water polo team at Poco’s daycare.
Fun Fact: My initials are B.G. and I am 165lbs.
Check me out at the Wood County District Public Library helping with the PAWS Reading Program.
Bubbles
Breed: Greyhound
Birthdate: 07/30/2016
Family: Kim & Emily
Social Media: @bubbles.therapy.dog
Major: Bachelor of Arts in Relaxation with a concentration in 45mph Couch Potato
Wellness Practices: I take extra naps and do lots of doggy yoga.
Fun Fact: I am a retired racing greyhound.
Cooper
Breed: American Bulldog Mix
Birthdate: 5/21/2021
Family: Roy and Angela Y.
Major: Purveyor of Smiles
Wellness Practices: Allowing people to give him pats.
Dubh
Breed: Border Collie
Birthdate: 1/23/2021
Family: Pat
Major: Masters in PE
Wellness Practices: Playing outside! He loves to play frisbee as often as possible!
Fun Fact: Dubh's name is Irish for the word black
Gordie
Breed: Labrador Retriever
Birthdate: 3/3/2018
Family: Debbie V.
Major: Social Worker with a Minor in Napping
Wellness Practices: Gordie likes to go for walks and eats a healthy diet. He loves carrots and apples!
Grace
Breed: Golden Retriever
Birthdate: 3/12/16
Family: Danielle Sidebottom, Kevin, Connor and Hope
Major: Paw-sitive Psychology and Leisure Studies
Wellness Practices: Boat rides, long naps, getting plenty of pets, and her monthly trips to the dog beauty parlor for a little pampering and beautification.
Henry
Breed: Golden Retriever
Birthdate: 12/30/2019
Family: Anna K
Social Media: @henrysgoldenday
Major: Major in modern dance with focus on the stomp, minor in life enrichment and entertainment
Wellness Practices: Daily walks, frisbee workouts, eats a balanced diet w/ variety of fruits/veggies and most importantly, plenty of naps
Fun Fact: He’s in love with the girl next door, Lola the doodle and he can tell time (or he knows when his meals are just minutes late)
Joey
Breed: Parti Yorkie
Birthdate: 04/04/2020
Family: Sue R.
Email: joeyjo44@yahoo.com
Major: Bachelor of Art in It’s a Dog Life
Wellness Practices: Although I love my treats, I limit them each day. I also do my daily exercise of chasing the ball to stay fit.
Fun Fact: My first therapy visit was at BGSU in March 2022!
Kelley Roo
Breed: Boykin Spaniel
Birthdate: 5/5/2022
Family: Jean K
Major: Master’s of Science in Ball retrieving
Wellness Practices: Chasing balls and frisbees AND ridding our yard of squirrels and chipmunks
Fun Fact: She has an unofficial title as junior mayor of Kelleys Island (that she’s named after)
Mack
Breed: Saint Bernard
Birthdate: April 25
Family: Sara D.
Major: Bachelor of Arts in Mindfulness
Wellness Practices: I enjoy nightly walks in the woods, snuggling my humans (especially my kids!), and enjoying the outdoors - snow, rain, or sun!!
Malaki (Kai)
Breed: Bernese Mountain Dog/Husky
Birthdate: 6/13/2018
Family: Lee R
Social Media: @malakai_therapydog
Major: Dogtorate in Social Working
Wellness Practices: Kai loves cuddling, swimming, hiking, and playing with his friends.
Fun Fact: Kai loves to talk and will let you know if you're not paying enough attention to him!
Matilda (Tilly)
Breed: Aussie-doodle
Birthdate: 1/3/2024
Family: Lee (mom), Roc (dad), Lucy (GSD sister)
Major: PhD in Human Cuddling
Wellness Practices: Tilly makes naps a priority
Fun Fact: Tilly has her CGC and CGCU designations in addition to being an ATD therapy dog
Millie
Breed: Golden Retriever
Birthdate: 06/21/21
Family: Carrie and Roger
Social Media: @goldengirlmillie.e
Major: French and Philosophy
Wellness Practices: Stuffie deconstruction and sleeping in!
Fun Fact: Has two golden retriever brothers and she is the only one brave enough to swim!
Mocha
Breed: Chocolate Lab Mix
Birthdate: 03/05/2019
Family: Joe & Bonnie F.
Major: Bachelor of Science in Playing
Wellness Practices: I go to annual visits to the vet. I eat lots of carrots and apple snacks. An apple a day keeps the vet away. And I remind my family repeatedly until I get my daily walk.
Fun Fact: I love car rides and walks. My favorite time of day is mealtime, and an hour before, I start begging for my food.
Oreo
Breed: Chihuahua Mix
Birthdate: August 19th
Family: Chris & Garry W.
Social Media: None. It’s a work in progress.
Major: Pursuing his Master of Arts in Behavior
Wellness Practices: I practice meditation. I may look asleep, but I am actually deep in thought.
Fun Fact: I have a stroller decorated with Christmas lights in which I sometimes get to ride.
Piper
Breed: Labrador Retriever
Birthdate: 8/8/2021
Family: Megan and Shawn
Social Media: @piper_the_blind_lab
Major: Bachelors in shenanigans and minor in scent work
Wellness Practices: Lots of naps, snackies, digging, and playing with my canine siblings. I also love to swim, take classes, and go places with my mom.
Fun Fact: I was born blind but have accomplished quite a bit in my four years on this planet! I also live with 3 other dogs and have served as a foster sister to multiple foster puppies.
Ruby
Breed: Cockapoo
Family: Tara
Major: Master of Eating Klennex's
Wellness Practices: Playing Ball
Fun Fact: Ruby was rescued. Ruby loves little children.
Roger
Breed: Golden Retriever
Birthdate: 04/10/2014
Family: Carrie C.
Major: Masters in Snoozing
Wellness Practices: Lots of rest and leisurely strolls
Fun Fact: I hate swimming and retrieving.
Rosie
Breed: Red Labrador Retriever
Birthdate: July 6
Family: Jacquelyn R.
Major: Making people happy
Wellness Practices: Napping, snacking, and taking long walks
Fun Fact: Rosie has had numerous litters of puppies!
Shilo
Breed: Collie mix
Birthdate: 4/18/2023
Family: Tina Ferner
Major: Master Trickster
Wellness Practices: 3-5 miles walk per day; PupKour
Fun Fact: He loves to perform tricks
Stella Marie
Breed: Great Dane
Birthdate: 8/19/2024
Family: Michelle Lee And Michael Lee
Social Media: @Stellatherapydane
Major: Diploma in Gentle Giant Studies (with a minor in Personal Space Invasion)
Wellness Practices: Stella loves to go to work and love on everyone in her path
Fun Fact: She loves to watch TV
Tiny Tim
Breed: Yorkipoo
Birthdate: 2/18/2018
Family: Diane C.
Major: Master's of Science in Managing Humans
Wellness Practices: As a seven‑pound rescue with a strong commitment to personal growth, Timmy maintains his well‑being through a daily ritual of therapeutic stuffed‑toy tossing. This mindful practice involves enthusiastically attacking, lifting, and launching his soft toys across the room to promote strength, confidence, and emotional balance. His wellness philosophy is simple: every airborne toy is a reminder that even the smallest dogs can move through the world with big, joyful energy.
Fun Fact: When Timmy is happy, he performs Timmy Twirls.
Toby
Breed: Aussie Mix
Birthdate: 5/23/2024
Family: Roy and Angela Y.
Major: Master's of Science in Gardening and Demolition
Wellness Practices: Digging holes in the yard
Fun Fact: Toby enjoys barking at garbage cans. He thinks they are people!
Willy
Breed: Golden Retriever
Birthdate: 12/05/2021
Family: Jim and Vicki
Major: Tail Wagging and Napping
Wellness Practices: Playing with my toys and running
Fun Fact: I like to sing and my dad is Daniel the Golden Retriever Winner Sporting Dogs 2021.
In Loving Memory
Murphy, bichon frise, served as a therapy dog for over 17 years. In addition to supporting the BGSU community, Murphy also visited libraries, hospitals, nursing homes, and many other locations in the community.
~March 2005 – October 2023
Faith, a miniature American Shepard, was an amazing dog who loved spreading joy to others. She was born March 17th, 2013. Faith served as a medical service dog for 8 years prior to becoming a therapy dog. She knew over 130 commands and could read a command on a paper and then do the command.
~March 2013 – April 2022
Brady, was known around campus for his love of belly rubs. Brady loved to swim and go duck hunting. Brady had 7 titles including AKC Canine Good Citizenship Advanced. He started as a therapy dog in 2015 and did nearly 1000 visits.
~March 1, 2012 – May 16, 2022
Blaze, a Labrador Retriever, was an incredible dog known for getting plenty of sleep but also excersising regularly. Blaze got along with everyone and loved to come to work with family. Blaze was also a child/teen therapist.
~July 4, 2017 – May 2026
Sochi, a Boykin Spaniel, was an amazing therapy dog who brought joy and comfort to everyone he met. As a member of BGSU PAWS, Sochi made a lasting impact on the BGSU community alongside his handler, Jean Kitchen. Sochi and Jean were recognized as the Classroom Heroes of the Month by Buckeye Community Arts Network and Buckeye Cable Sports Network. Sochi brought joy to everyone he met and will be deeply missed.
~April 15, 2014 - September 2026
Sochi ('26) and handler, Jean Kitchen, received the Classroom Heroes of the Month Award.
Lex Blanton
I grew up in the dog industry apprenticing under various nationally recognized trainers and participating in AKC & UKC junior handling events since early childhood. I have been competitive in dog shows for 15 years, putting numerous show & sport titles on both my dogs and client dogs. I have been employed as a professional trainer for 9 years, working with good manners clients, service dogs, therapy dogs, detection dogs, aggression cases, and more. I am a Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge & Skills Assessed through the CCPDT, a Zoom Room Certified Master Trainer, an IAABC behavior consultant, a Fear Free Certified Animal Trainer, a certified AKC Family Dog Evaluator, an ATD Therapy Dog Tester/Observer, and an active member of the Pet Professional Guild.
At Zoom Room, we don't train dogs, we train the people who love them! We offer AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, Obedience, Rally, Agility, Scent Work, Urban Herding, Flyball, Therapy Dog, Tricks, and Canine Conditioning classes in Perrysburg, OH. Zoom Room dog training classes are specially designed to encourage dogs to build confidence and success as they master new behaviors in a simple, step-by-step process. Our classes have skills-based graduation requirements to keep learning at your own pace. Every class is also offered multiple times each week so you can come as many or as few times as you want each week for additional instruction and practice.
Cheryl Kubista
I am the owner and Master trainer here at Talk Dog Toledo, LLC training facility. I have been training dogs for the last 18 years here in the Toledo, OH area. After completing a 4-week intense training program, I opened my own training company 2005. I have completed additional training over the years to further my skills. I work with dogs of all ages, all breeds and all types of issues. I offer private lessons, group classes and board and train options for clients. My group classes start with puppy kindergarten and go all the way up to therapy dog and service dog skills. I work with my clients to make sure that they can achieve their dog training goals! I am also an AKC and CGC evaluator, an Alliance of Therapy Dogs tester and observer and a field rep for Paws with a Cause. I am a professional member of the IACP as well as the APDT.
Updated: 10/26/2026 06:37PM