We’ve long heard of the benefits of having a pet. Lower stress levels and a better mood, decreased blood pressure and lower cholesterol, enhanced child development, decreased allergies and improved immunity, and even better socialization skills are among the numerous reasons to adopt. Then, of course, there are the benefits of trained therapy dogs for medical conditions and emotional support.
Researchers have been taking a closer look at the benefits of therapy dogs to students, especially college students undergoing high levels of stress. Students at the collegiate level are often unaccustomed to the higher levels of stress they experience upon leaving home. This, combined with notable new levels of depression and isolation, can take a toll on a student’s mental health and subsequent ability to do well academically.
Research Findings on Therapy Dogs
While it was known that therapy dogs were considered popular among stressed students, no one had done any formal studies until the University of British Columbia decided to take a closer look. They spent time evaluating whether or not individual drop-in therapy sessions could actually have an ongoing benefit for students. The results were notably positive.
A series of 246 students were selected to participate in the program. There were anywhere from seven to twelve dogs available during each session and the students invited were allowed to pet, cuddle, and chat with the dogs. Each student was surveyed directly before and after each session, and then again just 10 hours later.
While not all of the effects were long-lasting, researchers found that the majority of the students felt happier and less stressed than before they visited with the therapy dogs. At the ten hour mark, the majority of the students still felt less negativity and less stress. They also felt more supported in general. The general feelings of overall happiness did seem to fade.
There was a control group involved in the study as well, so results were compared to students who spent no time with the dogs at all. Previous studies had indicated that females may get better benefit from therapy dogs than males, but the UBC study indicated the results were equal.
Caveats
The notable drawback was that the effects of the experiment were short-lived. This led the researchers to recommend that schools offering therapy dog sessions should be offered at regular intervals, especially during exam periods and other times where stress levels are high. They noted that some students may even benefit from having therapy dogs around while working on homework assignments, especially stressful projects like research papers.
More Research Needed
While other research programs have been conducted, spanning over 68 colleges and universities in the US, there is still a hesitation when it comes to implementing long-term pet therapy programs on campuses. According to Innovative Higher Education, there is not enough knowledge or educational material out there to help schools implement formalized programs. So while the actual benefits to the students is relatively clear, educational institutions need more guidance as to how to properly structure and create policies to run safe and effective programs on an ongoing basis.
Is Animal-Assisted Therapy the Only Option?
Not necessarily. A study conducted by Ohio State University took a closer look at the bond between students and their pets. They surveyed almost 400 students who owned their own pets and found that those who were able to continue living with their pets also reported fewer feelings of depression and isolation.
According to Sara Staats, a psychology professor associated with the study, it is becoming more and more important for institutes of higher education to recognize that heading off to college is one of the first major transitions in a person’s life. Students who have pets at home have already developed great emotional bonds and attachments and being allowed to bring them to school can help them to keep from feeling isolated as they work to build human bonds in their new environment.
It is especially important to note that Staats’ study focused on the especially crucial bond “latchkey kids” have with their pets – wherein these students have stronger emotional attachments to their dogs and cats because both parents worked.
Drawbacks
There are, of course, a couple of drawbacks to the 24/7 accessibility of a pet brought from home. Some students may feel more stressed at having to balance the needs of their pet with their new college life, socialization, and schoolwork. So while most students feel better, there are a few who may feel even more isolated from other students because of their pet care needs. This is something that would need to be addressed on a case-by-case basis, though.
Pet Therapy Is Not Just for College Students
The concept of pet therapy isn’t new to colleges and universities. Teachers have been using pets to improve classroom interaction for years, especially at the elementary school level. The shared needs of a classroom pet build teamwork skills while at the same time developing a sense of responsibility towards the animal in question. Teachers have found creative ways to incorporate pets into the lesson plans, especially in terms of science, math, and art. Classroom pets also help children maintain a bond with something in the natural world as opposed to today’s fast-paced electronic atmosphere.
Bringing Pets to Work?
Even more far-fetched (or maybe not) is the concept of bringing pets to work. It’s the next natural transition after college and work is not necessarily any less stressful. A study conducted by the University of Southern California found that pet-friendly workplaces saw increased morale, less absenteeism, and a healthier sense of work-life balance.
Pets are a welcome distraction that remind employees to take the breaks they need to stay fresh and sharp. The less stress you feel at work, the better your productivity levels. You may also find that employees are spending less on healthcare.
It starts in the classroom. There is no doubt about the fact that pets and therapy animals can have a huge impact on college students and their ability to succeed with their academic studies. Now we have to figure out how to encourage more universities to implement pet therapy programs and living situations with structures that might allow students to have their pets with them more often. We can’t wait to see how the future unfolds.