U of A partners with pet therapy program, PAWSS, to help students relieve stress

Shona Nichols and her certified therapy dog ​​Skoki are helping University of Alberta students de-stress, one animal at a time.

Nichols, a teaching assistant for the U of A’s English language school through the faculty of education, he also works in the Student Engagement Center. From October 2023, he brought the therapy program, bringing Skoki on Monday.

On January 22, the Education Student Association partnered with the Animals that help students succeed (PAWSS) to host a special event in the Education Atrium. This event allowed students to meet some therapy animals while connecting with other students.

The PAWSS program is based abroad MacEwan Universitywhere “staff, students and community volunteers [bring] well-behaved, well-trained dogs on campus for the well-being of students,” said Nichols. According to Nichols, the program helps students by reducing their stress, increasing their sense of community, and improving their well-being.

Skoki was certified through the program at MacEwan, but mostly showed up at the U of A.

Nichols “saw an opportunity for a program that would make the lives of students and staff better on campus.”

According to Nichols, there is research regarding the effect of therapy dogs on post-secondary students. For many reasons, therapy dogs can particularly impact international students, Nichols said.

“[Therapy dogs have] It has been found to increase feelings of well-being, hope, connection, and decrease feelings of loneliness and homesickness for international students.” According to Nichols, these events help international students connect with other students in the university community.

Pet therapy events provide “opportunities to have informal conversations about the dog, about their home, [and] what makes them happy.”

Since the weekly program began, Nichols said she’s seen “all kinds of people come in.”

“We had security guards come in, PhD students, staff and our students. It created a sense of community where everyone came together and could have those informal conversations,” Nichols said.

Before she adopted Skoki, Nichols already had experience in animal therapy. When he started working at the U of A’s School of English, he “saw an opportunity for a program that would make life better for students and staff on campus.”

“I had done pet therapy with my previous dog. I just saw the benefits,” Nichols said. “When we walked into a room, people would light up. They would come talk to me, make eye contact, engage and have a conversation.

“It’s just taking a moment for yourself and appreciating the animal and getting to buy it. [It helps] “Destress me,” student says

According to Nichols, many students enjoy combing and doing tricks with Skoki. Others like to chat with people at events. Education students Kayla Letki and Kolby Russell have attended pet therapy events in the past and collected awards.

“It’s just taking a moment for yourself, appreciating the animal, and getting to buy it. [It helps] destress me,” Letki said.

Russell recognized the science behind animal therapy events. She likes “the serotonin you get from just a little connection once in a while.”