A 2014 study conducted by Georgia State, Idaho State University and the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) states the use of therapy dogs can alleviate college student anxiety and loneliness, according to a University release.
The study was based off of responses from 55 students who took part of group therapy for anxiety and loneliness, according to the release. Sessions were held twice a month between participants and a therapy dog, Sophie, under the supervision of a mental health practitioner.
“They found a 60 percent decrease in self-reported anxiety and loneliness symptoms following animal-assisted therapy, in which a registered therapy dog was under the supervision of a licensed mental health practitioner,” the release states.
By the end of the experiment 80 percent reported the dog was the most significant part of the program, according to the release.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) states that U.S. college counseling centers have reported rising numbers in the amounts of students who visit their facilities for anxiety treatment.
Approximately 75 percent of anxiety sufferers will experience symptoms before the age of 22, according to the NIMH.
A Georgia State student who wished to remain anonymous said he self-medicates by using marijuana to alleviate his stress.
“I smoke a lot because I’m stressed,” he said. ” I know a lot of students who smoke for the same reason. [School] gets overwhelming.”
Lindy Parker, the Georgia State researcher who contributed to the study, said she hopes the study will promote further research about the impact of animal assisted therapy.
“This publication is a proud example of the interdisciplinary and meaningful, community-based research that the strong GSU graduate programs foster… [this study] leverages GSU’s accessibility and partnerships to other institutions,” she said. “Our hope is that this study will promote greater research around the impact of animal assisted therapy on psychological distress and general public health.”
Parker also said she hopes the study will also aid the needs of college counseling centers.
“We hope the study will promote greater research around the needs of university counseling centers, along with creative, empirically supported ways to meet those needs.” she said.
Georgia State’s Counseling and Testing Center does not currently offer animal assisted therapy as part of their group therapy’s programs, according to the center’s website.
On Oct. 24, Georgia State’s Pre-Veterinary Professional Society hosted an event with Life Line Animal Project, an Avondale-based animal rescue society, and showcased the organization’s dogs up for adoption to provide midterm de-stressors for students.
Senior biology student Richard Huczkl said he enjoyed seeing and interacting with the dogs during the event.
“It’s definetly a de-stressor,” he said. “I wish I could do this between class everyday.”
Erica Sears, key volunteer for Life Line Animal Project, said she noticed the positive responses students had from interacting with the dogs.
“Every student walks away with a smile on their face, and the dogs really enjoy all the love and attention,” she said.
