Canine Support Program: Student perceptions and preferences at a regional university and implications for health, well-being, and student support enhancements

Tom, Vana, King, Jemma C., and McBain-Rigg, Kristin E. (2024) Canine Support Program: Student perceptions and preferences at a regional university and implications for health, well-being, and student support enhancements. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 35 (2). pp. 525-533.

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Abstract

Issue Addressed: Canine Support Programs (CSPs) are a potential solution to growing university student support demands. While current studies focus on the impacts of CSPs, there is limited understanding of the views and expectations of tertiary students about CSPs. This study explored the perceptions and preferences of students in an Australian regional university about CSPs.

Methods: A questionnaire with multiple choice and open-ended questions surveyed residential students' perspectives about CSP. Data were analysed using descriptive statistical tests and thematic analysis for open responses.

Results: Majority (98%) of participants (sample n = 48) would support a CSP on campus. Frequent, small-group interactions of ≥15 min involving physical contact were preferred. Dog disposition, welfare-trained handlers, and veterinary certification were important aspects of program safety. Participants strongly agreed a CSP would improve mental health and well-being, relieve stress, reduce feelings of homesickness, provide support, comfort, and enable social interactions.

Conclusion: There is strong support among the study population for CSP to be established on campus. This study supports earlier research that CSP has benefit potential for new, stressed, and/or students who love dogs. The preferences of students should inform program design to enhance utility and impact. This aligns with Health Promoting Universities and College's Okanagan Charter principle of ‘engaging student voices’. More institutional awareness and support for CSPs will be necessary for integration.

So What?: This study reveals the need for tailored and creative student support beyond traditional offerings including those that focus on student well-being and social initiatives. CSPs can be utilised as an advocate, enabler, and medium for mental health promotion action and well-being support for tertiary students; thereby, contributing to the ‘Health Promoting University’ agenda in Australia. It also reinforces the need for a Health in All Policies approach to be incorporated into our tertiary education sector. Future actions should focus on improving institutional awareness, support, and sector implementation.

Item ID: 80420
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 2201-1617
Keywords: Canine Support Program, health promoting universities, mental health, students, university, well-being
Copyright Information: © 2023 The Authors. Health Promotion Journal of Australia published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australian Health Promotion Association. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.
Date Deposited: 14 Sep 2023 03:27
FoR Codes: 42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4206 Public health > 420603 Health promotion @ 40%
39 EDUCATION > 3903 Education systems > 390303 Higher education @ 20%
39 EDUCATION > 3904 Specialist studies in education > 390412 Teacher and student wellbeing @ 40%
SEO Codes: 20 HEALTH > 2002 Evaluation of health and support services > 200203 Health education and promotion @ 30%
20 HEALTH > 2004 Public health (excl. specific population health) > 200409 Mental health @ 30%
16 EDUCATION AND TRAINING > 1602 Schools and learning environments > 160204 Management, resources and leadership @ 40%
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