Therapy dogs ease student stress during exams

Watch above: University is over but the exams have just begun and that’s why some special guests have been brought onto campus in Saskatoon. Carly Robinson introduces us to the therapy dogs helping students de-stress.

SASKATOON – As university students buckle down for the final push in their semester, it’s important for their well-being that they maintain overall health. A common mistake is to forget to take breaks from studying.

At the University of Saskatchewan, students are invited to spend their study-breaks at select “stress less” events. Get a 15 minute massage or a free healthy snack, play some board games or cuddle a therapy dog.

“I’m pretty stressed right now,” says first year animal bio science student Sarah Thompson, who admits that her drive to get into veterinary medicine and the need to top grades add to her stress. “I feel like there is a lot that you expect of yourself.”

Helping Thompson manage her stress is golden retriever Lucy, a St. John Ambulance therapy dog brought to the education library.

“If you come here you can just be in the moment, because the dogs don’t really expect that much from you except for some love, which is really easy to give.”

READ MORE: Therapy dog program lands at Saskatoon airport

Prof. Colleen Dell owns three therapy dogs, and has been monitoring the response to bringing the canines on campus.

“The main message here is that the university community is here to support, and this is just one way.”

Since the pilot edition this time last year, the dogs have been making regular visits to the university, and the response has been positive.

For Lyle Kaye, spending time with the therapy dogs on campus reminds him of his own dog back home in Winnipeg.

“I can actually feel the relief come off my chest, all the stress and the anxiety about the papers and the exams and all that.”

“Stress is a big problem for universities,” says Health Education Coordinator Rita Hanoski, explaining that there has been an influx of students seeking help because the stress becomes un-manageable. “The majority of students say when we asked if they’re feeling highly stressed or if the stress feels overwhelming to you, most students say yes.”

Overall, the stress comes from a want to succeed in their given program. However these stress less zones are helping students manage these feelings.

“I have a really hard time taking a break from studying,” says student Mackenzie  “because I feel really guilty like I should be studying all the time … but events like this like, ‘Oh, I can go get a massage!’ It’s a good way to take a break, it gives me incentive.”

Her way to de-stress is to volunteer handing out popcorn and meeting other students. “Talking to people really helps relieve the stress, just human interaction.”

Exams continue at the University of Saskatchewan until the end of the month.