UCF students gather in a circle to interact with the UCF therapy dog, Luna, in the John C. Hitt Library on Tuesday, hosted by the main campus library. Detective Becker leads the interactions with Luna.
Victoria Garcia- Morales
UCF students lined up at the John C. Hitt Library waiting to meet trained therapy dog Luna, accompanied by UCF Police Department Detective Bianca Becker for “Welcome Wagging” on Tuesday afternoon.
The event allowed students to interact with 3-year-old French bulldog Luna while connecting with a UCF detective on campus.
“The library is the host, and our therapy dogs are the ones that are the star of the show,” Public Information Officer Amanda Sellers said.
Students gathered in room 402 to interact with therapy dog Luna and learn new safety measures and tactics UCFPD is taking to ensure students’ safety and well-being.
The library offers many academic and wellness activities throughout the semester that encourage students to take care of their well-being and receive a “quick brain break,” UCF librarian Chereeka Garner said.
Students participated in an interactive coloring activity with printed sheets of UCF therapy dogs while waiting their turn. Attendees had the opportunity to have three to five minutes in a group setting with Luna.
Senior psychology major Celeste Quitoriano-Zamora shared her experience with the UCF therapy dog at the event.
“I graduate soon, so that’s what’s stressing me out,” Zamora said. “I love animals because they calm my anxiety.”
Detective Bianca Becker and the university’s police department participated in community outreach to check on students’ well-being and provide guidance.
UCF Police Department Detective Bianca Becker holds therapy dog Luna at the John C. Hitt Library on Tuesday, hosted by the UCF main campus library.
Victoria Garcia- Morales
“Lots of students get nervous to talk to us, but as soon as they see the dog, it’s what draws them in,” Becker said. “It breaks the barrier down so that we can have that conversation that, if anything happens to them, we’re right down the street and available 24/7 to respond.”
Becker, a UCF alum, has worked with UCF for nine years and has enjoyed interacting with students on campus.
“Anytime that we’re doing anything, it’s really good to interact with the students and inform them of the services we offer,” Becker said.
Estella Rodriguez, freshman industrial engineering major, had never interacted with a therapy dog or researched their role before attending the event. Her experience with Luna and Becker gave her a greater understanding of the time, effort and training required to prepare therapy dogs to work with UCFPD.
“It took the detective two years and a half to be a trainer, which I didn’t know it was that long, and it makes you appreciate their work more,” Rodriguez said.
Becker said she understands the hardships college students face daily between college coursework, work, organizations or any other daily activity. She says that her goal is to help students in any possible way.
“Students have to be self-sufficient in college; they’re responsible for themselves, and it’s a lot for anyone, especially at a young age,” Becker said. “We want to make sure that we’re giving them the services they need.”