Department of Allied Health and Human Performance
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Browsing Department of Allied Health and Human Performance by Subject "animal-assisted therapy"
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Item Interdisciplinary supports for student mental health: Pets Assisting With Student Success - PAWSS at MacEwan University(2024) Bialowas, Payden; Oloriz, Abby; Rissanen, AnnaStudent mental health is a critical concern in academic environments, where the pressures of academic life can significantly impact well-being. This study investigates the effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy in alleviating mental health challenges. Collaborating with the Pet Assisting With Student Success (PAWSS) program at MacEwan University, we aimed to understand how interactions with therapy animals could benefit students. Employing a qualitative phenomenological approach, we gathered data on student experiences with the PAWSS program through Qualtrics. Through the survey, we explored the way in which the program influenced students' daily lives and their ease of accessing these therapeutic interactions and considered improvements that could be made to make the program more accessible to students. Participants consistently reported reductions in anxiety and stress after engaging with the PAWSS events or encountering therapy animals in hallways. Our poster includes common themes about students’ experiences with the PAWSS program, which are visually reflective through NVivo. Our findings highlight the profound positive impact of animal-assisted therapy on student stress levels and overall mental health. The human-animal bond fostered through the PAWSS program not only provides immediate relief but also cultivates a supportive campus environment. This research underscores the value of interdisciplinary approaches to mental health support and the transformative potential of integrating animal-assisted therapy into university settings.Item Mental health supports for post-secondary students - focus on animal-assisted wellness and trauma-informed practices(2024) Rissanen, AnnaMental health-related problems, stress and symptoms of mental illness have been increasing in Canadian postsecondary students. We need more focus on interdisciplinary campus services that help struggling students such as animal-assisted therapy on campus. Also, an important area of interest is understanding the psychosocial determinants of mental health such as the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), experienced trauma, and added distress from discrimination and racism on post-secondary students. It is important for professors, administrators, and others to understand trauma-informed practices to prevent further harm. In attempts to avoid poor academic performance, and further accumulation of psychosocial problems, we need to address the needs of students. Specifically, trauma informed practices need exploration as research on trauma informed teaching and clinical practice are underutilized in Canadian campuses. Also, it is important to explore interdisciplinary therapy services, such as animal-assisted therapy that has a low barrier of participation. The overall goal for university administrators is to understand the complexity of student mental health that encompasses the diversity of post-secondary students’ mental health challenges, including interdisciplinary and trauma-informed practices. In this presentation I will present the results of a survey about trauma-informed practices utilized in Canadian universities. Also, I will share the results of a preliminary study about the effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy on a Canadian University campus. There is potential that this preliminary research will lead to further studies on how to educate campus members in trauma-informed practices, and further understanding of how we can prevent worsening of traumatized students' distress and improve their quality of life. Also, these are novel research results about additional treatments in student mental health, specifically on animal-assisted wellness and trauma-informed practices in post-secondary education.