Over 60% of U.S. colleges and universities have a pet therapy program, according to aggregate research from The Zebra. For campuses that don’t have their own programs, hosting animal visitation events is common for helping college students alleviate stress.
A 2023 study, “The Impact of Campus-Based Therapy Dogs on the Mood and Affect of University Students,” found animal-assisted therapy has produced stress-relieving effects in environments of high stress and anxiety, including educational settings. The use of therapy dogs for university students has shown significant reductions in psychological and physiological stress, the study says. Other studies estimate that college students who spend just 10 minutes with therapy animals have reduced levels of cortisol, the primary stress hormone.
Like with most programs being considered by college and university leaders, budget plays a significant role in whether or not it gets adopted. Campus Safety has spoken to various college safety and security directors who have implemented therapy or community service canine programs and all have said they incorrectly assumed the associated costs, noting it was not nearly as high as they had anticipated.
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Amy Rock Editorial LLC 