University of Hong Kong mourns the death of Jasper, its in-house therapy dog
- Jasper became HKU’s resident therapy dog in 2017 in a pilot programme aiming to reduce stress and anxiety among students during the exam period
- Students and staff expressed sadness at the campus celebrity’s passing, with one alumna saying: ‘I hope he enjoyed his time at HKU as much as we enjoyed his companionship’
Students and staff at the University of Hong Kong are mourning the death of Jasper – the city’s first in-house therapy dog at an institution of higher learning – who passed away at the age of 12 on Sunday.
The old English sheepdog was credited with helping hundreds of students in dozens of counselling sessions over his three years at HKU.
“After a successful leg surgery, Jasper experienced complications arising from his age and size,” a statement released on Jasper’s social media account on Wednesday said.
“He was at peace in his final moments.”
Jasper, who was adopted by his handlers from an animal shelter in 2009, became HKU’s resident therapy dog in 2017 in a pilot programme aiming to reduce stress and anxiety among students during the exam period.
He was even given his own facilities access card with the title “Library Therapy Dog”.