Assessing the Viability of a Facility Dog in Higher Education to Reduce Stress and Improve Mental Health
Faculty Mentor Name
Stacey McIntire
Format Preference
Poster
Abstract
This research study investigates the impact of a facility dog on the mental health and stress levels of college students in a higher education setting. College is a pivotal yet challenging time for many students, marked by significant transitions and increased susceptibility to mental health issues. With mental health disorders predominantly surfacing between the ages of 18-24, a demographic that coincides with the typical college age, higher education institutions are facing a mental health crisis. In response, some have begun integrating therapy and facility dogs into their campuses to provide therapeutic support. A facility dog, distinct from a therapy dog, operates within a single setting, offering continuous therapeutic services. This study focuses on one higher education institution’s facility dog and its effect on students' mental health. Through a two-phase data collection process involving 20 participants, the study employs pre-surveys, the Coleman Dog Attitude Scale (C-DAS), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory State (STAIS-5), and Trait (STAIT-5) measures, along with biometric data collected via Whoops® bands. Participants will engage in regular contact with Higbee, with their anxiety levels and biometric data monitored before and after interaction periods. The study aims to correlate students' perceptions of and actual biometric responses to regular contact with a facility dog, providing insights into the potential mental health benefits of such interventions in higher education settings.
Assessing the Viability of a Facility Dog in Higher Education to Reduce Stress and Improve Mental Health
This research study investigates the impact of a facility dog on the mental health and stress levels of college students in a higher education setting. College is a pivotal yet challenging time for many students, marked by significant transitions and increased susceptibility to mental health issues. With mental health disorders predominantly surfacing between the ages of 18-24, a demographic that coincides with the typical college age, higher education institutions are facing a mental health crisis. In response, some have begun integrating therapy and facility dogs into their campuses to provide therapeutic support. A facility dog, distinct from a therapy dog, operates within a single setting, offering continuous therapeutic services. This study focuses on one higher education institution’s facility dog and its effect on students' mental health. Through a two-phase data collection process involving 20 participants, the study employs pre-surveys, the Coleman Dog Attitude Scale (C-DAS), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory State (STAIS-5), and Trait (STAIT-5) measures, along with biometric data collected via Whoops® bands. Participants will engage in regular contact with Higbee, with their anxiety levels and biometric data monitored before and after interaction periods. The study aims to correlate students' perceptions of and actual biometric responses to regular contact with a facility dog, providing insights into the potential mental health benefits of such interventions in higher education settings.