SFU Students Use Dogs for Behavior and Learning Classes

Fostering dogs while attending college classes may sound like a challenging proposition, but students admitted into this semester’s Canine Learning course received their dogs at the Boiler House on Jan. 22.

The course is being taught by Assistant Professor of Psychology Schlomit Flaisher-Grinberg.

Central Pennsylvania Humane Society member and trainer Megan Sanchez helped in securing three dogs—Nikko, Jango and Akira—for students in this behavior-and-learning class.

“The process of learning is a field of psychology,” Flaisher-Grinberg said. “It’s the same with rats, dogs and children.”

Flaisher-Grinberg taught a similar course on rats last semester. She drew parallels on the learning processes of both types of animals.

Ten students are registered in the Canine Learning class, which is being offered for the first time at Saint Francis University (SFU).

Sanchez, an adjunct dog trainer from Blair Canine Coaching, will work alongside Flaisher-Grinberg in teaching students various learning processes for the dogs.

“I use science-based training methods,” said Sanchez. “It’s training to get the product you want, with little to no side effects.”

Students are permitted to house the dogs in select dormitory rooms and apartments on campus.