'One hug or pup at a time': Community group celebrates third anniversary

“Offering college students support…one hug or pup at a time.”

That's the motto for Hugs and Pups Posse — Encouraging and Empowering, a group that was created to promote mental health and comfort on UNC's campus.

On Tuesday, HAPPEE celebrated its third anniversary on the Quad with treats, prizes, music, bubbles and, of course, hugs and pups. 

The group was founded by Cathy Emrick, Noel-Beth Sipe and Michelle Young in October 2021 following two suicides on campus. 

“The amount of grief on this campus was absolutely overwhelming,” Emrick said. “It was the worst I have ever seen it except for right after the shooting.”

Emrick, a UNC alumna and parent to a then-UNC student, decided to attend a community rally for suicide awareness and prevention. She had already been a part of Free Mom Hugs, an organization where mothers go to LGBTQ+ events and offer comfort through hugs. Emrick decided to ask if there were members of Free Mom Hugs that may be interested in coming with her, which is how she met Sipe. 

At the rally, many volunteers brought their dogs, and as Emrick and Sipe gave hugs to the students, they noticed how the students would drop down to play with the puppies, including Emrick's own pet, appropriately named Little Dog. 

“You could see the anxiety and grief falling away for a bit, and they would smile,” Emrick said. 

Students approached Emrick and Sipe, telling them they wished the women and their dogs would come back to campus soon. Emrick and Sipe then decided that they would walk their dogs more frequently on campus. They posted on Facebook about their initiative, and within a couple days, around 80 people expressed interest in supporting their idea.

Young had already been walking her dog Roxy on campus regularly at the time, joining Emrick and Sipe to form HAPPEE.

Since then, the group has grown in numbers, increased its social media presence and become more structured, Sipe said. By last spring, their Facebook group had grown to over 350 members. 

Emrick said that many people are instrumental in sustaining HAPPEE, including volunteers, parents, students and members of the campus community. 

“It's basically a full time job with a lot of coordination and many of the people who contribute to make HAPPEE what it is,” Young said.

Belinda Woodard, current campus volunteer and former student volunteer with HAPPEE, continues to work with the organization after graduating and was invited to be a member of the group's board of directors. Woodard said that after the Aug. 28 on-campus shooting last year, Emrick and the organization were a great comfort to her. 

“I was jittery on campus,” Woodard said. “I refused to walk on campus. I stayed in my dorm.” 

When Woodard heard that one of her favorite dogs was on campus, her intended brief visit grew longer as she talked with Emrick and others.

Ever since then, Woodard has become more aware of students on campus and how they are feeling, and she began taking more of an initiative in comforting her peers. 

“This is one of the best things I have honestly done,” Woodard said. 

Sipe and Emrick said that over the next few years, they hope to gain volunteers, maintain current members, build community on campus and increase diversity. 

Sipe said that the organization is very appreciative of the students at UNC and immensely glad to be here for them. 

“We have been welcomed with open arms,” Sipe said. “Not only welcome, but just fully embraced here, which is really special to us.”

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