Summary
On Pet Therapy
Overwhelming research shows pets can ease anxiety and depression and improve mental health. Pets can also provide significant support in stressful and demanding environments such as universities.
In May 2018, Cambridge University “employed” animals to help relieve stress during the exam period. These animals included Jasper, the three-legged cat, guinea pigs and Twiglet, the Jack Russel.
Cambridge University found the introduction of pet therapy helped students clear their heads, relieve academic pressures and improve their mental well-being.
A recent study from the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) discovered that 88 per cent of pet owners believe their animals help reduce stress.
This begs the question: Should Stirling University enact a pet therapy programme for its students if other universities and personal accounts have proven it effective?
