Therapy dogs relieve stress for college students

A recent study from the American Education Research Association Open showed that therapy dogs can help relieve stress in vulnerable and stressed-out college students.

College students are oftentimes stressed from changes in lifestyle, increased schoolwork, extracurricular activities and interpersonal relationships. 

According to the American Addiction Centers, surveys reported around 45 percent of college students experience high levels of stress, with exams being the biggest stressor. 

In the study conducted at Washington State University, Dr. Patricia Pendry, an associate professor in the department of human development at Washington State University, assigned more than 300 students into one of three different monthly stress-management programs to test students’ varying levels of interaction with therapy dogs.

Out of the more than 300 participants, around one-third of the students were “at-risk” with mental health issues, learning disabilities or academic hardships. 

The study measured the reductions in cortisol, commonly known as the stress hormone, when exposed to therapy dogs in different environments.

After six weeks of the program, the program involving petting and interacting with therapy dogs led to the most significant decrease in the cortisol stress hormone and increase in executive function. 

As a result, students are able to manage their stress levels better and succeed academically with planning, organizing and learning new information. 

"If you're already somebody who struggles with executive functioning and you're stressed, and you have a history of challenges, being able to talk with other students in a non-threatening, relaxing, socially supportive environment is probably very nice,” Pendry said. 

Pendry theorizes that dogs act as a “social lubricant” when increasing a person’s comfort level in a space. 

A friendlier environment allows students to become more socially supported by those around them, which helps decrease stress levels among participants.

Amy Hrin, the national director of American Humane’s Lois Pope LIFE Center for Military Affairs, said dogs can help people distract from their troubles, and the results of the study are true with her experience as a therapy dog handler. 

"And when you think about this particular population—students who are away from home—and here they can have this chance to give and receive affection with this warm, friendly animal,” Hirin said. “If you can't have a hug from Mom right now, this is the next best thing.”