Vivian Peyton with owner Michele Pich (The Shreiber Family Pet Therapy Program)
Vivían Peyton and Ralphie, two of Rowan University’s therapy dogs, recently earned the 2025 American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Dogs of the Year award for providing comfort and emotional support to students and staff nationwide.
The award recognizes the profound impact these two rescue dogs have made through Rowan’s Shreiber Family Pet Therapy Program. Since 2019, Vivían and Ralphie have offered emotional support on campus, assisted in counseling, and helped students navigate stress. Their work exemplifies the power of the human-animal bond and highlights the growing use of animals in educational and clinical settings.
Vivían and Ralphie could not be more different in personality, yet both share a rare ability that goes with someone who needs love or comfort.
“They are very different in personality, but both are natural empaths. That empathy, that ability to sense when someone needs extra love, is what makes them such great therapy dogs and wonderful beings in general,” said Michele Pich, assistant director of Rowan’s Shreiber Family Pet Therapy Program.
Vivían’s journey began in a prison-based dog training program, where she bonded with an incarcerated trainer.
Vivían has spent her time with children at the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, offering comfort to young patients with serious medical conditions and their families. At Rowan, she became the program’s first therapy dog, supporting students, faculty, and staff through the highs and lows of campus life. Ralphie, her successor, quickly followed in her paw prints, offering comfort to not just students but first responders, and even participating in teaching demonstrations.
“Even before she became a therapy dog, the man training her said, ‘I need you to promise you’ll love her as much as I have.’ It was a testament to the care and trust built between them. Vivían immediately leaned in to console us both, and I knew right then she was meant to help heal others,” said Pich.
Despite their high-profile roles, both dogs are also Pich’s companions and rely on her care for daily needs, from grooming to veterinarian visits. However, Vivían recently passed away just a month ago on Aug. 20, and lived up to 15 years old.
“We share a bond of trust and gratitude. Ralphie will bring me his toys when he senses I need comfort, and Vivían was always a natural snuggler. That bond allows them to work effectively as therapy animals,” said Pich.
Their work extends beyond individual interactions, offering a lasting impact on the campus community. They help students manage their stress, support the faculty and staff, and provide emotional stability during high-pressure moments, from counseling sessions to career fairs.
“We can’t promise to cure anyone’s struggles. But we can make their moment better. That ripple effect through mental health, physical health, and emotional well-being is ongoing,” said Pich.
Rowan’s Shreiber Family Pet Therapy Program also serves as a model for other institutions. Rowan hosts an annual National Dog Therapy Symposium; this year, the event falls on Tuesday, Dec. 2, and seeks to connect students, practitioners, and volunteers to exchange best practices and explore the potential of therapy animals. Vivían and Ralphie’s recognition by the ASPCA highlights not only their individual achievements but also the broader importance of therapy.
“I hope people see that rescue dogs, or animals from uncertain situations, have an immense capacity to give love and support. The recognition helps show their potential and underscores the importance of the human-animal bond,” said Pich.
For her, the dogs’ recognition is not just about awards but rather about what they represent. She hopes Vivían and Ralphie’s story will remind people of the potential in every therapy and rescue animal.
“I’m not going to judge a dog or a human on what happens on their worst day before I ever met them. I want to take that opportunity to get to know each of them as an individual,” said Pich.
That belief that every life can heal and help others is what keeps Rowan’s pet therapy program thriving. Ralphie and his teammates continue to bring comfort to the college community, whether that’s easing the stress of finals weeks, helping someone through personal loss, or simply offering a wag when it’s needed most.
Students, faculty, and staff can schedule a therapy session with Ralphie or the other certified therapy dogs through the Shreiber Family Pet Therapy Program by visiting the program’s website. The dogs also pop out to various campus events, such as Wagging Tail Tuesdays, that are announced on their official Instagram page.
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