As the fall 2025 semester winds to an end, San Diego City College students’ minds start to grind.

This time of year is usually stressful for students as they return from a week of fall break and transition to the rigor of finals.  

City College recognized this and empathized with students by hosting De-Stress Week at the library.  

Love on a Leash paid a visit to City with two canine companions to share company with students on Tuesday.

Shaylee, an English Corgi of seven years, was among the duo and accompanied by her owner, Christine Allan. 

“Shaylee is trained to smell elevated levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, and will sit on someone’s feet or press against them if she can detect it,” Allan said. 

Allan’s inspiration for joining Love on Leashes was due to the benefits she observed as a healthcare specialist at Scripps Mercy Hospital for 30 years.  

“I noticed that animals, especially dogs, comfort people that are lonely in hospital rooms or nursing homes,” Allan said.  

After retirement, Allan has enjoyed volunteering with Shaylee at different locations, including hospitals, assisted living facilities and schools. 

The second of the De-Stress duo was a three-year-old golden retriever named Lady Ella.

Lady Ella has been trained to be a therapy dog, according to her owner, Patti Claassen.  

“It took about a year of training to re-focus that puppy energy,” Claassen said. “Lady Ella now enjoys basking in the attention of her human company with a docile demeanor.”

Claassen mentioned that her intention with Love on Leashes was to share her enjoyment of her pet with others who may not have animals of their own or are away from their pets. 

“People enjoy reconnecting with a dog, maybe a pet they have lost in the past, or maybe a pet at home,” Claassen said.

Love on Leashes frequents City College twice a year around finals and always looks forward to sharing their companionship with the student body. 

This story was edited by Tresean Osgood and Samira Hassan.