Toronto, Dec. 5, 2012 – Stressed out students at York University will receive a welcome visit this week as Enzo the therapy dog returns to campus to help alleviate their pre-exam jitters.

Enzo and his owner Virginia Mantycki are volunteers with the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program, which has matched well-behaved canine ambassadors and their handlers with volunteer opportunities in hospitals, special needs programs or in long-term care facilities for almost 20 years.

This will be Enzo and Virginia’s second time touring campus during exams, offering his trademark brand of calming canine companionship to York U students.

What: Enzo the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog visiting students on York’s Keele campus

Where:  Vari Hall

When: 1-2pm, Dec. 5, 6, 11

This event is sponsored by the York Access Centre and Centre for Human Rights’ Diversity Peer Education Team.

York University is helping to shape the global thinkers and thinking that will define tomorrow. York’s unwavering commitment to excellence reflects a rich diversity of perspectives and a strong sense of social responsibility that sets us apart. A York U degree empowers graduates to thrive in the world and achieve their life goals through a rigorous academic foundation balanced by real-world experiential education. As a globally recognized research centre, York is fully engaged in the critical discussions that lead to innovative solutions to the most pressing local and global social challenges. York’s 11 faculties and 28 research centres are thinking bigger, broader and more globally, partnering with 288 leading universities worldwide. York's community is strong − 55,000 students, 7,000 faculty and staff, and more than 250,000 alumni.

Media Contact: Robin Heron, Media Relations, York University, 416 736 2100 x22097 / rheron@yorku.ca