A retired service animal, Phantom now serves as a calming presence in the Student Disability Services lounge, offering comfort, connection and stress relief to the Lion community.

Students who step into the Student Disability Services office at East Texas A&M may notice something a little different: the gentle presence of a calm, curly-haired companion ready to offer comfort. His name is Phantom, and he's on a mission to make campus life a little less stressful, one tail wag at a time.

Carrie Williams, director of Student Disability Services (SDS), said there has been a growing need for accessible, proactive mental health and wellness support for students on campus. She said East Texas A&M prioritizes supporting students as they navigate academic pressures, social transitions and the personal challenges that come with college life.

Enter Phantom, the therapy dog who checks all those boxes. He is the university's newest source of emotional support and stress relief. Phantom is a 10-year-old retired service animal who is now spending his golden years receiving snuggles while giving love and support to students at East Texas A&M. A Labradoodle, Phantom is already a familiar face at East Texas A&M as his owner, Dr. Kelin Loe, is an assistant professor at the university.

“Phantom is so calm; he is a good boy,” Williams said. “He’s docile, sweet and social—he wants snuggles!”

A Sensory-Friendly Space for Students

During the day, Phantom stays with Williams in a quiet lounge adjacent to her office. The space is intentionally designed to feel different from the bustle of the rest of campus, serving as a welcoming retreat for students who want to study, reset or simply breathe for a few minutes between classes.

The space offers flexible seating, dim lighting and a peaceful atmosphere designed to be sensory-friendly. It exits to the back of the library near other staff offices and the testing center. While the library can be a social hub, particularly near Starbucks, the SDS lounge provides a calmer alternative for students seeking quiet.

Students may interact with Phantom if they choose, but it is not required. All students at East Texas A&M are welcome to use the lounge space; no reservations are necessary, and students do not need to be registered with SDS.

Williams said Phantom will typically be available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering steady companionship during the busiest parts of the week.

The Impact of Therapy Animals on Mental Health

Research suggests, and Williams has witnessed firsthand, that interactions with therapy animals can lower stress hormones, reduce anxiety and improve mood. That is where Phantom can make a meaningful impact on students' mental health.

Williams said therapy animals have also been shown to increase student engagement. She expects students will connect not only with Phantom but also with one another while spending time in the lounge, creating moments of shared calm in the middle of demanding schedules.

A Unique Program in Texas

Williams noted that East Texas A&M is unique in being the only university in The Texas A&M University System to offer a therapy animal program not affiliated with a police department.

She hopes Phantom will help reshape how students view SDS, not as an intimidating office, but as a welcoming space focused on comfort and support. And, if students want additional assistance from SDS or the Counseling Center, they can connect with Williams and her staff for guidance.

“We want to provide comfort, connection and stress relief in a low-barrier, approachable way,” Williams said.

Phantom's First Day on the Job

Phantom's first day on the job was Feb. 12, when he received his new, unofficial Lion Card and officially began his comfort mission at ET. SDS staff members received training on how to interact appropriately with Phantom as a therapy animal and will be available to introduce him to students visiting the lounge.

Williams is excited about the new program and anticipates an increase in visitors to the SDS office, particularly during high-stress times of the semester, such as midterms and finals. Faculty and staff are also welcome to use the lounge space and spend time with Phantom.

“This is a perfect way for us to be able to meet our students where they are emotionally,” Williams said. “I hope Phantom is a welcoming presence and that he can be used as a resource that students can turn to during stressful moments.”

Phantom is in Waters Library within the SDS office on the first floor, Room 162B—and he would love to hang out!

Browse the photo gallery from Phantom's first day at SDS.