Animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) have become increasingly popular on college campuses as a way to improve the well-being of students. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, AAIs encompass a variety of practices that utilize animals to benefit human experiences. These interventions can range from animal-assisted therapy to animal-assisted education, each serving a unique purpose in promoting emotional and mental health.
A recent study conducted at The College of New Jersey found that AAIs are particularly effective in reducing stress, homesickness, and negative emotions among college students. Mental health professionals at various institutions, including Kalamazoo College, Lawrence Technological University, Dickinson College, and Texas Christian University, have shared their experiences implementing AAIs on their respective campuses.
At Kalamazoo College, Dr. Erica Pearson and her therapy dog, Noodles, have been providing AAIs since 2016. Their interventions include pet visits, group counseling, wellness programming, and crisis support. Dr. Pearson emphasizes the social connections that AAIs foster among students, noting that interactions with therapy animals like Noodles can lead to organic conversations and a sense of belonging for students.
Similarly, Lawrence Technological University utilizes therapy dogs in both individual counseling sessions and monthly campus events called Study “Paws.” Director of Counseling Services, Christy Schulze, highlights how these interventions help students develop emotional awareness and reduce stigma around seeking mental health services.
At Dickinson College, Dr. Lauren Strunk oversees the Bunny Connections Group, a program that uses bunnies to facilitate interpersonal connections and emotional well-being among students. Individual therapy sessions with the bunnies and unstructured “Bunny Breaks” provide students with a calming respite from the demands of college life.
Texas Christian University offers an equine therapy program in partnership with Freedom Reigns Counseling, where students interact with horses to promote emotional growth and learning. Equine therapist Lesli Figueiredo explains how working with horses can help students live more in the present and increase productivity in their studies.
Overall, AAIs have been shown to have numerous benefits for college students, including promoting social connections, reducing stigma around mental health, and providing a calming presence on campus. By integrating therapy animals like dogs, bunnies, and horses into their programs, colleges and universities are creating a supportive environment that enhances the well-being of their students.
