Trained therapy dogs from St. John Ambulance will be making appearances on both Camosun College campuses just in time for exam period.
Therapy dog sessions are a common offering at North American colleges and universities. A recent study from the University of British Columbia reveals that time with therapy dogs has a positive effect on students by reducing stress and improving overall wellbeing.
Camosun students enjoy some quality time with this grown-up pup from St. John Ambulance's therapy dog program. (Photo: Camosun College AV Services)
"This is about more than stress relief," says Sybil Harrison, Director of Learning Services at Camosun. "Students tell us that they feel a need to connect with something outside of themselves, especially during high-pressure times of the semester. We coordinate these dog visits as a gift from the college, a way of saying that we admire and respect students for how hard they're working."
The Camosun Library has brought in the dogs during exam periods for the past five years. The therapy dog visits align with the library's mandate to build community and to narrow the gap between living and learning.
