Graduation came early at Saint Francis University for Paisley, Kuvo, Cleo and Hamilton. The four dogs were part of a semester-long "community engaged" Psychology course,
“Canine Learning and Behavior.”
On December 5th, a graduation ceremony was held on campus to celebrate the dogs completing the course. Throughout the semester students applied concepts of conditioning, reinforcement, and behavior analysis.
During the event, Dr. Karan Powell, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, and
Dr. Donald Walkovich, Dean of the
School of Health Sciences and Education, presented each dog with a certificate of completion, a collar with engraved tag, and a piece of cake for dessert.
Additionally, the canines will go on to earn an American Kennel Club Canine Citizen Certificate.
The shelter dogs are part of a partnership project between the University and the
Central PA Humane Society and taught by SFU Assistant Professor of Psychology,
Dr. Shomit Flaisher-Grinberg and Megan Sanchez, Volunteer Coordinator of the Central PA Humane Society.
Kuvo, Cleo and Hamilton will stay on campus to participate in student research projects, while Paisley visits with a vetted adoption prospect in hopes to find her fur-ever home.
Photos of the event
Psychology
Canine Learning and Behavior