More Than Resources
A Culture of Care

n recent years, SNHU students have shared that they are facing increased levels of stress, isolation, and challenges balancing academics with life pressures.

When Heather Lorenz ’98G, vice president of student affairs and campus based initiatives, and Felix Pizzi, assistant vice president of student health and well-being, reviewed data across all student modalities, they saw that our students needed more accessible, comprehensive well-being resources that help reduce barriers to care and make everyone feel connected, whether they are on the Manchester campus or learning online.

“The prevalence of mental health challenges that our students were experiencing was higher for our SNHU students than it was for the national average. And so that, for us, meant that we had an obligation to act,” said Lorenz. In response, SNHU has introduced several key initiatives that reflect this commitment.

One cornerstone of this effort is the Mantra Care Hub, a virtual mental health and well-being platform available at no cost to SNHU students. The Mantra Care Hub gives students around-the-clock access to a range of supports, from self-guided wellness content and peer forums to basic needs resources and crisis support.

“The Mantra Care Hub provides wellness and productivity coaching. It also provides consultation for faculty and staff when they need support in supporting students with basic needs or mental health concerns,” said Pizzi.

Through this hub, students can find tools to manage stress, build resilience, and connect with licensed professionals on their own time. As one anonymous student shared, “I think the application is a great way to explore different facets of yourself and improve on the areas that you struggle with.”

Another beloved addition to the university is Sunny the Comfort Dog, a gentle presence whose daily visits bring joy, stress relief, and a sense of community. Sunny is a golden retriever who joined the SNHU Public Safety team as an additional layer to the university’s well-being resources. This program was made possible thanks to the generous support of our Student Government Association (SGA).

In the fall of 2025, Sunny completed specialized training with Hero Pups, a nonprofit organization specializing in training comfort dogs for public service. As part of her training, Sunny learned how to remain calm and supportive in high-energy environments like student centers, residence halls, and campus events. Campus and online students were thrilled to have Sunny cheering them on at the fall 2025 Commencement ceremonies.

Sunny provides emotional support, promotes wellness, and engages with the SNHU community in times of stress or crisis. Having Sunny as part of the Public Safety team will also strengthen connections between Public Safety officers and students, faculty, and staff. “I think what will happen with Sunny is we’ll start to be viewed more as caretakers than enforcement people,” said Jim Winn, assistant vice president of student affairs and public safety.

Sunny’s role recognizes that connection, informal support, and simple moments of comfort are powerful complements to formal care.