Therapy dogs at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus have become a regular refuge for students coping with homesickness and exam stress. Studies indicate that therapy dogs provide psychological benefits including reduced stress and anxiety, improved mood, and enhanced emotional well-being, which are particularly crucial for students facing the pressures of academic life. Feeling lonely? Campus therapy dogs may be the fix, study says

The Building Academic Retention Through K9’s (B.A.R.K.) program runs eight weeks of Friday afternoon small-group dog therapy sessions designed to help students feel more connected to campus life. The program links the university with community volunteers and reported participation from about 30% of the student body in the study period, with nearly 60 volunteers supporting the effort. Despite the absence of direct comparisons of therapy dog program effectiveness across different campuses, individual studies highlight the benefits seen at specific universities, including UBC Okanagan. Therapy dog utilization on a university campus and the effects on …

Researchers measured responses from students who took part in one-hour sessions and follow-up assessments two weeks later. Participants reported feeling less homesick, less stressed out, and more connected to the campus community after their interactions with trained therapy dogs brought to campus by volunteers. These moments of connection not only serve as temporary emotional relief but also contribute to long-term well-being, reinforcing the idea that emotional moments shared with animals can lead to feelings of happiness, calm, and motivation.

Dr. John-Tyler Binfet of the University of British Columbia, who founded the program, reflected on the personal pull dogs can exert: “Funny enough, whenever I felt homesick, it was because I missed my own dog, not because I missed my parents or sister,” he said. This personal connection resonates with many students who seek solace in these furry companions.

Sessions were structured as weekly, small-group meetings on Friday afternoons, with each visit lasting about one hour. Two weeks after the eight-week cycle, researchers conducted follow-up measures to assess whether reported benefits persisted beyond the immediate visit, which aligns with the program’s goal of establishing a sense of belonging among participants. 6 steps to adding a therapy dog to your organization – EMS1

Holli-Anne Passmore, a researcher involved with the program, helped coordinate the study activities and the connection between campus needs and volunteer teams. Hal Herzog, Professor Emeritus at Western Carolina University, contributed to the research context surrounding animal-assisted interventions. His background underscores the importance of integrating well-researched practices in establishing these programs. Study: Therapy Dogs Boost Graduate Student Well-Being

Students described simple, everyday relief: a pause between classes, a moment to pet a calm animal, and an opportunity to socialize with peers around a shared activity. Those emotional moments, organizers say, have become a predictable part of the weekly campus rhythm and a way to steady students during high-pressure periods.

Organizers emphasize the program’s community roots: trained therapy dogs are brought to campus by volunteers from the surrounding area, allowing the university to offer regular interactions without relying solely on campus staff. Universities looking to establish similar programs can start by gaining administrative approval, assessing site suitability, and partnering with registered therapy animal organizations.

The initiative’s volunteer base approaches fifty people, reflecting a mix of handlers and canine teams who participate in on-campus events.

The program and its research have attracted attention beyond the university. Coverage in campus outlets describes how the sessions are offered as drop-in and small-group formats, allowing students to choose the level of interaction that suits them. Additional reporting on campus experiences and study findings can be found at News, and broader context on therapy-dog benefits is discussed in academic and higher-education outlets such as InsideHigherEd.

One participant summed up the practical value: time with a therapy dog offered a brief but meaningful reduction in the emotional strain of being away from home. Program coordinators say those everyday interactions contribute to a stronger sense of belonging among participants and a quieter campus culture during stressful weeks.

The University of British Columbia hosts the B.A.R.K. program at its Okanagan campus and continues to partner with volunteers to schedule regular sessions. Researchers maintain follow-up practices to gauge short-term changes in homesickness and stress after the prescribed eight-week cycles.

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Original reporting: view the original article.