Experience Our Unique Furry Therapy!
Animal Interaction for University Students
Enhancing Mental Health and Wellbeing!
As university life can be both exciting and challenging, the mental health and well-being of students have become increasingly important topics. With academic pressures, social dynamics, and the transition to independence, many students face stress and anxiety. One innovative solution that has gained traction is the incorporation of animal interaction on campus. Whether through therapy animals, pet-friendly events, or animal-assisted activities, engaging with animals can significantly benefit students' mental health.
Animal interaction can play a vital role in enhancing the mental health and well-being of university students. By fostering a supportive, engaging, and enjoyable campus environment through animal-assisted initiatives, universities can help students navigate the challenges of academic life more effectively. Embracing the presence of animals on campus can lead to happier, healthier, and more connected student communities
Meet are Therapeutic Superstars
Our Superstar Therapy Dog
Doctor Watson 'Doc' - Our certified therapy dog, ready to bring comfort and joy to everyone he meets.
'The Fab Fur Four' Guinea Pigs
George - Our cuddly guinea pig who loves to snuggle.
Bubbly and fun.
Ringo - The playful one, always ready for some fun but loves a pet and attention.
Frank - A calm presence, perfect for relaxation. Never happier than when eating and being fussed on.
Elvis - Our charming little guy with a big personality. The adventurous one with the most confidence; Loves a belly rub!
The Positive Impact of Animal Interaction
Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Interactions with animals have been shown to lower stress and anxiety levels, which is especially crucial for university students facing deadlines and exams. A study by the University of Missouri-Columbia demonstrated that spending just 15 minutes with a pet can reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) levels and enhance overall mood.
Statistic: According to the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), 74% of pet owners reported improved mental health as a direct result of their pets.
Boosts Student Morale and Engagement
Experience includes:
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Interactive sessions where employees can, pet, feed, cuddle and interact with our therapy guinea pigs and Doctor Watson.
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Customised visits tailored to your needs, ensuring nobody misses out for those stuck at their desks!
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Mindful novelty colouring sheets.
Encourages Social Interaction and Community Building
Animals can serve as social catalysts, helping students to connect with one another and build friendships. Engaging with animals can break the ice and foster a sense of community among students, which is particularly beneficial for newcomers navigating the university environment.
- Statistic: Research conducted by the University of Nevada found that campuses that facilitated pet-friendly events reported 34% higher levels of social interaction among students.
Enhances Work-Life Balance
Incorporating animals into university life can help students manage their time and responsibilities more effectively. Allowing students to engage with therapy animals or attend Therapy Pet visits can provide a much-needed break from academic pressures, promoting better focus and productivity.
- Statistic: A survey from Banfield Pet Hospital indicated that 62% of students felt that having the opportunity to interact with pets improved their work-life balance.
Implementing Animal Interaction on Campus
You can engage Therapy Pets to bring trained therapy animals, our certified therapy dog, Doctor Watson and our four trained Guinea pigs to campus. These visits can provide students with a comforting break during stressful times, such as exam weeks.
By organising our visits you can allow students to interact with animals with booked slots, calling them say “Pawsitivity Days~, where students can spend time with our therapy Guinea pigs who love being cuddled, fed and brushed or a visit from the Doc, our outstanding therapy Dog called Doctor Watson. These events can provide a calming atmosphere and promote mental well-being.
We recommend you book 15 minute visits for groups of four for a one to one interaction, where each will be able to engage with our animals supervised. Group attendance is easily organised as we deliver these in our corporate visits, refer to our page on our website if this is of interesting.
Our pets are well trained and have been working animals so are relaxed and comfortable with the attention. We leave all our visitors with mindful uplifting colouring sheets and a photograph of our fur babies for them to take away to remember our visit.
For more information on how to implement animal interaction programs at your university or to find resources on mental health initiatives for students, please reach out to us!
References
1. Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI)
2. Frontiers in Psychology
3. University of Nevada
4. Banfield Pet Hospital
Share our unique therapy pets session with your colleagues by downloading our flyer.
Cost-effective Solutions
We are happy to accommodate your needs and maybe it's a Mental Health Day you are looking for, as long as our animals wellbeing is priority, we can offer bespoke packages to suit your requirements. Discounts are available for timetabled visits throughout the year.
Once our quote has been approved and your date is booked in our diary, you will be given access to all our certifications and insurance, posters and colouring sheets.
Prices
£100 per hour - Therapy Dog
£150 per hour - Therapy Guinea Pigs
£200 per hour - Therapy Dog and Guinea Pigs