As a professor who routinely brings one or more dogs to class with me, I’m clearly biased in my belief that there are therapeutic benefits to integrating therapy dogs into the post-secondary context. Here’s a look at my home office mates – need additional convincing that I’m sold on the idea that there are benefits to companion animals?!

It’s not uncommon to see dog therapy programs offered on university or college campuses. MacEwan University offers the Pets Assisting with Student Success (or PAWSS) program, the University of Saskatchewan the Paws Your Stress Program, and on my campus we have the Building Academic Retention through K9s (B.A.R.K.) program that I oversee. There are countless other programs across campuses world-wide.

Called Canine-Assisted Interventions or Animal-Visitation Programs, these sessions provide opportunities for students to spend time with and interact with therapy dogs and their handlers as a means of reducing their stress. I’m not alone in advocating for the therapeutic benefits of interacting with dogs. A recent study titled “Should dogs have a seat in the classroom? The effects of canine assisted education on college student mental health”........

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