Dogs to Help Students Cope with Stress

For students under pressure, a dog might be the best solution for stress. A new study shows that therapy dogs improve the thinking and planning skills of stressed students—far more effectively than traditional stress-management programs.   The prevalence of mental health symptoms and disorders among students is on the rise, and the current pandemic has only exacerbated the situation. Many universities offer programs and workshops to help students manage the stress and pressure they face in higher education. These programs are traditionally very similar to courses dispensed elsewhere. Students listen to an expert, watch presentations, and take notes. These are evidence-based courses that explain how to get more sleep, set goals, and manage stress or anxiety. However, as end-of-year exams approach, many campuses are choosing to welcome dogs into libraries and dorms as a way to better combat stress. Far from being an outlandish solution, scientific research supports this approach centered on interaction with animals. A new study published in the journal of the American Educational Research Association reveals, in particular, that therapy dogs provide relief to students experiencing academic stress significantly better than traditional methods. Stressed students think and learn more easily after spending four weeks interacting with a dog, and the effects can last up to six weeks. Among 309 students, researchers measured the impact on the cognitive skills necessary for academic success (such as attention, organization, prioritization, concentration, comprehension, emotional regulation, etc.) of a university stress prevention program featuring varying levels of human-animal interaction.

Simply petting an animal for just ten minutes a day appears to improve mood and reduce stress and cortisol levels in students in the short term.

Repeated interactions between students and dogs diverted the most psychologically vulnerable students from their negative thoughts and significantly improved their cognitive functions, compared to struggling students assigned to a series of lectures and stress-management activities based on a didactic approach. These educational workshops are perceived as stressful and theoretical, without providing the means to address the source of the stress. In contrast, canine therapy—thanks to its relaxing effects, the support it provides, and the enjoyment it generates—improves students’ ability to think positively, set goals, motivate themselves, concentrate, and retain what they learn. A calm and relaxed state is particularly beneficial for effective learning and success, especially for those prone to chronic stress.