New research from UBC Okanagan, published in the Journal of College Student Mental Health, examined 676 students, most of them in their first year. Researchers used an open-ended question to capture what students experienced during campus visits from therapy dogs.
The results suggest the visits offer more than a brief mood boost. Students may be drawn by the dogs, but what they leave with often involves other people. The therapy dogs appear to act as social catalysts, helping students connect with one another and creating a shared moment on campus.
The open-ended format lets students describe their own takeaways, offering a fuller picture of how informal canine visits support belonging. With only one source, there are no conflicting accounts to compare.