Puppies & Professionals Connects Students with Careers — and a Few Wagging Tails

By Ryan Clark
CHS Communications Director

Between wagging tails and happy barks, College of Health Sciences students found themselves talking career goals — all while scratching behind floppy ears.

The College of Health Sciences Peer Mentors hosted “Puppies & Professionals” on Feb. 18, pairing pre-professional students with graduate students and therapy dogs for an afternoon designed to ease stress and spark meaningful conversations about the road ahead.

Dogs from UK HealthCare’s Animal-Assisted Therapy program and 4 Paws for Ability Inc. joined the event, giving students the chance to unwind with four-legged visitors while learning more about future careers in health care.

“Our Puppies & Professionals event was a wonderful opportunity for our CHS students to get a look into the lives of students from their future professional schools, all while having fun getting to see some puppies from UK HealthCare and learning about the 4 Paws program,” said Gracee Spears, a CHS peer mentor and a senior in Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Spears said the relaxed atmosphere helped break down barriers that can sometimes make networking feel intimidating.

“This event was a great chance for students to connect with professional students they will soon be in the shoes of, ask meaningful questions, and gain insight into what their next steps may look like,” she said. “The fun and relaxed setting allowed students to build genuine connections while enjoying a fun and memorable experience.”

The event created space for undergraduate students to engage directly with graduate students in their chosen fields — an opportunity that can be difficult to find outside of structured programming.

“The Puppies & Professionals event was a hit in my opinion,” said Adrianna Walker, a CHS peer mentor and a senior majoring in Human Health Sciences. “I felt like it was such a nice opportunity for CHS students to engage with grad students in their chosen field. It can be difficult to find professionals to ask questions, and I think this event made that easier for students.”

In addition to offering career insight, the presence of therapy dogs underscored the growing role of animal-assisted interventions in health care settings. Representatives from 4 Paws for Ability shared information about service dog training and placement, while UK HealthCare handlers highlighted the benefits of therapy animals for patients and staff.

By blending professional development with puppy playtime, organizers created an event that was equal parts informative and uplifting — helping students take their next career steps with a little extra encouragement and a lot of tail wags.

Walker said she expects the puppies to come back. 

“I see this event as one we continue to offer year after year,” she said.