By Rory McNelley, Head Copy Editor

You may have noticed Xavier’s newest campus companion, Nari, around the HUB or Gallager Student Center. Nari is a golden retriever and labrador retriever mix and the newest addition to Student Wellbeing Services.  

This summer, Xavier partnered with LOVElikeJJ and Circle Tail, two non-profit organizations in the Cincinnati area, to bring Nari to campus. She is expected to stay for six to eight years.  

Nari is a full-time support resource meant to provide comfort and decrease stress and anxiety around campus. She is specially trained to provide physical, social, cognitive and emotional assistance to the Xavier community. 

“There is so much research out there about the positive effects of a human-animal bond. Not everyone is able to bring their pet on campus so being able to have a resident dog makes campus feel a little more home-y,” sophomore Philosophy, Politics, and the Public and French double major and SWAVE peer educator Kiaralys Rosario said. 

This is just one initiative brought to campus by Xavier’s Health and Wellness program which earned eighth place in The Princeton Review for best student support and counselling services and tenth place for best health services.  

“Well-being is not only about navigating difficult moments; it’s also about feeling a sense of belonging and finding joy in everyday experiences,” Assistant Vice President for Health and Wellness Jamie Baxter said.  

Nari can be found in the HUB 109 and GSC 111 throughout the week. She is professionally trained to work with a handler to support multiple people in group settings as a facility dog.

Unlike a service dog, Nari is trained to interact with everyone, not just one specific individual. Her six campus handlers allow her to visit with students in different areas.  

“Nari’s presence on campus helps create those moments. We’re excited about the impact she has already had on our Xavier community,” Baxter said.

Nari is allowed in almost all spaces on campus, and students can pet her after making sure it is OK with the current handler.

“I have loved getting to witness the positive effect Nari has on people, not only on students,” Rosario added.

Nari is already proving to be a popular addition to campus and Student Wellbeing Services. The two-year-old golden labrador is the newest student resource aimed at bringing the most opportunities to improve moods across the campus community and beyond.