A recent investigation published in the journal Pets reveals that first-year students at Washington State University (WSU) who interacted with therapy dogs on a weekly basis during their first semester experienced significant improvements in their mental health.
Those involved in this animal-assisted program reported lower signs of stress and depression when compared to their peers who did not participate.
PAWs4US Initiative
This research is part of the PAWs4US initiative, which aimed to explore how sustained access to therapy dogs impacts the well-being of new college attendees.
Students who engaged in regular, informal sessions with the therapy dogs over a span of several months noted a decrease in stress and depression levels.
Moreover, they experienced an increase in self-compassion, suggesting that friendly interactions with these animals can foster lasting mental health benefits.
Patricia Pendry, the lead author and a professor of human development at WSU, emphasized the advantages of allowing students autonomy in their interactions with the therapy dogs.
This model mimics the experience of owning a pet, making it a more applicable approach for educational institutions looking to implement similar programs.
Research Findings
Pendry’s earlier studies indicated that even brief encounters with therapy dogs could lower stress hormones.
Building on that premise, the current research expanded its focus to examine the effects of access to unstructured, long-term therapy dog programs.
Unlike previous studies that mandated specific activities, this program was designed to offer students the freedom to visit when they wished, engage with the dogs, and stay for sessions lasting up to two hours.
For this study, 145 first-year students—who had left their family pets behind at home—were recruited.
They were randomly assigned to one of two groups: one participated in the therapy dog program, which included seven drop-in sessions, while the other remained on a waitlist.
Those in the therapy dog group enjoyed a relaxed setting to interact with the animals.
Throughout the semester, researchers meticulously tracked the mental health and overall well-being of participants.
They discovered that those who engaged with the therapy dogs experienced markedly lower levels of depression, stress, and anxiety than the control group.
Additionally, these students expressed greater self-compassion, a quality that supports better emotional regulation and overall well-being.
This outcome stands in stark contrast to the usual mental health trends for incoming freshmen, who often face increasing challenges during their transition to college life.
Implications for Universities
The researchers proposed that several environmental factors contributed to these therapeutic effects.
The gentle presence of the dogs, communal interactions with fellow students, and the vibrancy of the handlers likely played essential roles in improving mental health.
The analysis also revealed interesting insights regarding attendance frequency.
Students who attended multiple sessions reaped the most benefits from the program.
Doctoral candidate Carr, who worked on the research, pointed out the potential compounding advantages of consistent interactions with therapy dogs, suggesting that institutions may benefit from adopting ongoing, unstructured programs rather than requiring isolated events.
As mental health issues among college students continue to rise, Pendry noted an increasing trend of universities embracing animal-assisted programs.
She expressed optimism that the findings from WSU’s study would inspire broader adoption of therapy dog opportunities across campuses, emphasizing the necessity of implementing programs grounded in solid evidence.
In conclusion, Pendry remarked that such programs represent a straightforward and affordable strategy to enhance student well-being.
By creating inviting spaces where students can interact with therapy dogs and their handlers, colleges can significantly contribute to students’ mental health while ensuring the safety and welfare of both participants and animals alike.
Looking ahead, future studies will delve into whether students who did not leave pets behind at home can experience the same mental health benefits as their peers who did.
Source: ScienceDaily