Remembering Baxter, SDSU’s first and much-loved therapy dog

Baxter the therapy dog with a student — Mention the name Baxter, and SDSU faculty, staff and students—like this one photographed in 2021—still light up at the memory of the therapy dog who brought joy to the university from 2010 to 2024. Photograph by Gary Payne

For almost 15 years, Baxter brightened days across the SDSU community—just by being himself. His legacy continues today through therapy dogs Luna, Kuma and Pogi.

By Jennifer Rikard as told to Jeff Ristine
July 20, 2026

Editor’s note: To meet more dogs at work on campus, read “Dogs of SDSU” in the summer online edition of SDSU Magazine.

Baxter with Jennifer Rikard — Soon after Rikard adopted Baxter, she brought him to work with her at Counseling & Psychological Services. Baxter quickly decided he wanted a job too. Photograph courtesy of Jennifer Rikard

Chief mental health officer Jennifer Rikard introduced Baxter, San Diego State University’s first-ever therapy dog, to the campus community around 2010. An exceptionally cute little cocker spaniel, poodle and Maltese mix, Baxter worked wonders both during office visits and at his popular Relax with Bax appearances at the University Library and other campus venues. He retired in July 2024, more than three years after canine partner Luna joined him in Counseling & Psychological Services, located in the Calpulli Center.

Baxter crossed the Rainbow Bridge later that year. He was 16 years old. In addition to Luna, SDSU now has two new therapy dogs to carry on his work: Kuma and Pogi. Both funded through donor gifts, Pogi is still in training. Here, in her own words, Rikard talks about Baxter’s unexpected introduction to SDSU and his legacy of therapeutic achievement.

BAXTER CARVED OUT A PATH FOR HIMSELF AT SDSU. When I adopted him, he came to the office a couple of times, and he was so amazing in his demeanor. Everyone loved him! That gave me the idea to get him certified as a therapy dog, so he could really help students. Until then, it hadn’t been an idea for the counseling center or for me.

The certification involves obedience tests. He had to be nonreactive to medical equipment like crutches and wheelchairs. Therapy dogs have to be able to be left alone with a stranger. Baxter sailed through. He was a natural.

Baxter and Luna, SDSU Therapy dogs — Donors like Mary Curran, a board member with The Campanile Foundation, have supported the therapy dog program over the years. When Baxter (left) retired in 2024, Luna carried on the role he pioneered while adding her own touch. Photograph courtesy of Jennifer Rikard

My hope with Baxter was to destigmatize the counseling center. Spending time with him was just a really nonthreatening way to interact and engage, and once you start talking to a therapy dog, maybe there’s a counselor there, and it really socializes people to the counseling center and what other services might be there. Physiologically, it reduces blood pressure, increases oxytocin—a feel-good hormone in the brain—and improves concentration. Those effects tend to last throughout the day. That’s why we’re active with meet-and-greets during finals time because students can come by and then improve their concentration and decrease their anxiety to get through their exams.

Baxter the therapy dog next to a "Relax with Bax" sticker — Baxter was the star of Relax with Bax, a wellness program that gave students a chance to unwind, recharge and spend time with him. Photograph courtesy of Jennifer Rikard

Over the years, I saw how attuned Baxter was to students: It was his special gift. If they were crying, he used his paws to sort of touch them on their leg. He could be at an outreach event on campus all day for six hours and then do a night one for an extra three hours and never get tired. He was always ready to go, at attention, loving being petted and just making people happy all day. He was just so chill.

And if there was a group of students, say a classroom of 20 in a circle, he would go around to each student and greet them without being told. Then if somebody came in late, he would go over and greet them. He really was very open. He didn’t leave anyone out—and that was kind of special.

One memory I like to tell people about is when a student came into the counseling center and was really in distress and crying. Baxter and I were behind the front desk, and the student was in the private egg chair room. Baxter could hear the student, and I could tell he wanted to go to them. And for the first time—and the only time ever—he jumped over the front desk to get to the student who was in distress.

Kuma, Luna, and Pogi, SDSU Therapy dogs — (Left to right): Kuma, Luna and Pogi, SDSU's therapy dogs. Photographs by Rebecca Nordquist and Rachel Crawford (middle)

Kuma, the newest therapy dog, reminds me a lot of Baxter. He’s quiet and calm. Each dog brings something different for different students. Luna is fast and loves to chase the ball; Pogi is really active and bigger.

I am amazed by how many lives Baxter touched, and how many students told me that he helped them through their entire SDSU career to graduation. The experience with Baxter as a therapy dog was beyond my wildest dreams.