Our Story
The Puppy Lab is a volunteer organization at MIT. Its mission is to leverage the scientifically-proven stress-relieving effects of animal interaction to improve the state of community mental health and wellness. We envision an inviting space where dogs are available in weekly shifts for anyone to visit. It provides an avenue for community members to connect outside of school and work, with unconditional puppy love catalyzing deep, lasting relationships. Thank you for supporting this initiative! Please let us know if you have any feedback, would like to volunteer in other capacities, or would like to remain informed of developments of the Puppy Lab!
Weekly Lab Hours
Come by to hang out with the pups! Weekly lab hours occur for 1 hour a week, with the day and time being determined each semester from volunteer availability. For Spring 2025, Puppy Lab is on Fridays from 12-1 in the Wellbeing Lab (3rd floor of the student center)! The events are open to all, so feel free to swing on by!
To get more up-to-date information on lab hours, cancellations, and special events such as finals week lab hours, please follow our instagram page or facebook page .
Hope to see you there!
Join Puppy Lab
Are you a member of the MIT community? Do you have a dog that loves attention, and enjoys being fawned over by a multitude of students? Are you interested in helping us with Puppy Lab events as a therapy dog team? Send an email to puppylab@mit.edu and we’d love to give you and your furry friend more information on how to join!
FAQ
Q: Are there any qualifications for my dog to join?
A: Your dog should be trained to socialize with dogs and people! Your dogs behavior is your responsibility and you should have him or her under control at all times. Additionally, under restrictions from MIT the following breeds are restricted: Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Bullmastiffs, Chow Chows, Wolf Hybrids, Akitas, and German Sheppard.
Q: I want to attend puppy labs. Are the dogs trained therapy dogs?
A: No. These dogs are pets in the MIT community and you should treat them as such.
Q: I don’t have a dog but I want to volunteer. What can I do?
A: You can assist with planning events and administrative tasks as well as set up/clean up.
More questions? Email puppylab@mit.edu