Edinburgh University’s canine-assisted programme aims to improve students’ mental health.

The University of Edinburgh has developed a new wellbeing programme that aims to provide support to students who are experiencing anxiety and stress. Paws on Campus will combine clinical psychology with veterinary science in a series of structured activity sessions.

The canine-assisted sessions aim to improve mental health as well as promoting an understanding of animal welfare. They are being delivered in collaboration with Canine Concern Scotland’s Therapets Service that will provide registered dogs and their handlers.

The programme is particularly suited to students who enjoy spending time with companion animals or those who are missing pets from home.

Professor Jo Williams, one of the creators of the programme said: “Interacting with dogs can have a range of benefits for students from reducing stress to increasing positive mood. 

“We have developed Paws on Campus to meet the needs of students by co-producing the sessions with the students themselves. Each session has a key focus, based on psychological research, to enhance wellbeing and provide each participant with skills that they can use to support their mental health. 

“Interacting with the dogs is an essential part of the programme and students also learn about canine welfare and compassion to self and others.” 

The Paws on Campus programme is the first of its kind in the UK, and builds on research conducted by the University of Washington and University of British Columbia. 

Following a number of trial sessions at the end of 2022, individuals can be referred to the programme via the university’s student wellbeing service.

Izzy Adams, a student who took part in the trial said: “The sessions flow really well and it has been great learning the various grounding and awareness techniques that you can also do in your own time. I found it made mindfulness – something that I struggled with before - so much easier when there is a dog to focus on.”

Professor Williams added: “We are hoping that the project will create a framework for university campus dog programmes that can be used nationally and internationally.”

More information about Paws on Campus can be found on the University of Edinburgh's website.

Image (C) University of Edinburgh