Unleashing the Power of Therapy Dogs: A Stress Buffer for University Students
In the realm of stress management, therapy dogs have emerged as unexpected yet effective allies. Recent research, particularly the study titled "The Buffer Effect of Therapy Dog Exposure on Stress Reactivity in Undergraduate Students," sheds light on how these furry companions can significantly buffer stress responses, providing a viable solution for stress management in university settings.
Understanding the Study
Conducted by Fiocco and Hunse at Ryerson University, this study explored whether interaction with a therapy dog could reduce physiological stress responses to a subsequent stressor. Sixty-one university students were randomly assigned to either a therapy dog group or a control group, with stress responses measured using electrodermal activity (EDA) during a stress-inducing task.
Key Findings
The results were compelling. The therapy dog group exhibited significantly lower increases in EDA compared to the control group, indicating that therapy dog exposure effectively buffered the physiological stress response. Interestingly, pet attitudes did not significantly moderate this effect, suggesting that therapy dog programs could be universally beneficial regardless of individual pet attitudes.
Implications for Practitioners
For practitioners in the field of speech-language pathology and beyond, these findings offer valuable insights:
- Incorporate Therapy Dogs: Consider integrating therapy dogs into stress management programs, especially in educational settings where stress is prevalent.
- Focus on Physiological Measures: While self-reported stress measures are valuable, physiological measures like EDA provide objective insights into stress responses.
- Universal Application: The lack of moderation by pet attitudes suggests therapy dogs can benefit a wide range of individuals, making them a versatile tool in stress reduction.
Encouraging Further Research
While this study provides a strong foundation, further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of therapy dog exposure and its application across diverse populations. Practitioners are encouraged to contribute to this growing body of research to refine and expand the use of therapy dogs in stress management.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: The Buffer Effect of Therapy Dog Exposure on Stress Reactivity in Undergraduate Students.
