University Environmental Heath and Safety Office employees have reiterated that personal pets are not permitted in academic buildings.

They said that it is a safety and liability issue, according to Finance and Administration Vice President Amy Buxbaum.

Some of these issues include possible bites and property damage.

Buxbaum said the therapy dog events are not to be affected by this rule because these dogs are professionally trained, and have handlers present who take responsibility for safety issues if they arise.

Sophomore Shelby Giancola said she had a dog visit her Organizational Communication class.

She said associate professor Kristen Majocha brought her dog, Mac, to help teach a lesson.

“I loved it. I love animals, and it made me happy,” Giancola said.

She said pets should be allowed in the buildings because they are good stress relievers.

Sophomore Rebecca Smith also was in class with Majocha’s dog as well as Ryan Kerrigan’s dog in her Physical Geology class.

Smith said Kerrigan’s dog was calm, didn’t bark and wasn’t distracting.

Kerrigan told his class that, if anyone had any problems, he would remove the dog, Smith said.

Smith said she found the dog’s presence refreshing and class members were happy and excited to have the dog there.

“I don’t like the rule (no personnel pets in academic buildings). We are all adults.

“If the teachers and students communicate well, I don’t see how it’s a problem,” Smith said.

She also said that her teachers have always said, if anyone has an issue with a dog attending class, they would make different arrangements.

Junior Nicole Gross said she has never had a dog in any of her classes.

“I don’t see a problem with it, unless someone is allergic,” Gross said.

She said many people love dogs, and she knows a lot of people liked when the therapy dogs came, so she finds them to be a positive addition to the classroom.