Join us for Doggy De-stress at UBC! On October 31, take a moment to de-stress by hanging out with some therapy dogs.
Studies have shown that therapy-dog visits alleviate stress and improve health and well-being. Dogs are popular visitors in hospitals, senior centres, airports–and now universities. Many universities bring in therapy dogs to help their students cope with the stresses of student life. This event is a chance for UBC students to interact with dogs, volunteers, and other students before final exams; when students might be feeling stressed or over-whelmed.
UBC Psychology and the UBC Alma Mater Society (AMS) is partnering with Vancouver ecoVillage to bring the therapy dogs to campus from September to November 2016.
Stanley Coren with his therapy dog, Ripley
Vancouver ecoVillage has a rigorous therapy-dog training program, which requires several months of training and testing. The therapy dogs are re-tested annually to ensure they keep displaying temperament that shows confidence, good manners and sociability with other dogs and people. The dogs meet strict health requirements, are well-groomed and gentle at all times. They even do tricks to entertain and amuse. Most of all, these special dogs and their handlers have a therapeutic and calming influence on people in the community who have the pleasure of meeting them.
At these dog therapy sessions, Dr. Stanley Coren, Professor Emeritus of Psychology and canine behaviour expert, and Dr. Frances Chen, Assistant Professor of Psychology, will be exploring how therapy dog sessions influence students’ stress and well-being.
The sessions are open to UBC students and the public (on a donation basis).
