First-year students at Washington State University who spent time with therapy dogs during their first semester reported fewer signs of stress and depression than peers who did not, researchers said.

The finding comes from a campus study in Pullman, Wash., that offered students unstructured, drop-in access to registered therapy dogs for sessions that lasted up to two hours. The investigators framed the sessions to resemble everyday pet interaction, giving students autonomy over how they engaged with the animals. Therapy animals in educational settings are associated with reduced student stress, anxiety, and depression, and contribute to improved overall mood and emotional regulation.

About 145 students took part in the work, according to the study summary. Therapy dogs and their handlers were provided by Palouse Paws, a local animal-assisted intervention group affiliated with the national organization Pet Partners. More than 60% of U.S. colleges now have some form of therapy dog programs, indicating that such initiatives are becoming increasingly common across campuses.

Researchers staged the sessions in a large conference room outfitted with secluded seating areas so students could choose to sit quietly, pet dogs, talk with peers or interact with handlers as they wished. The informal design was intended to mirror real-life pet ownership and make participation easy to integrate into students’ routines. To enhance the quality of these programs, universities should consider developing clear guidelines that address program goals and safety protocols.

“We know that structured programs help, but we wanted to see if giving students complete autonomy in how they interact with the dogs could be just as beneficial,” said Patricia Pendry, professor of human development at Washington State University.

Pendry and colleagues reported that students who used the therapy-dog sessions showed measurable reductions in symptoms tied to stress and depression compared with those who did not have the same access. The researchers highlighted self-directed interaction and repeated visits as elements that may contribute to the effect. “Regular, sustained interactions with therapy dogs seem to have a cumulative effect,” said Alexa Carr, a doctoral candidate at Washington State University.

Pendry described the model as straightforward to implement on campuses. “This mirrors real-life pet ownership more closely and may make it easier for universities to implement similar programs,” she said. She also called it “a relatively easy, low-cost way to support student well-being.” Given that many students may leave companion animals at home when they arrive at college, offering such support systems can be essential.

The study’s setup and outcomes reflect an emphasis on accessibility: students were free to drop in, interact with therapy dogs as they pleased, and stay as long as they wanted for up to two hours. The hands-off structure was a deliberate contrast with short, exam-period dog visits that some campuses offer.

Palouse Paws supplied the canine teams and handlers used in the sessions. Local reporting on the study and its campus implications can be found in coverage by KOMO News.

Investigators said the findings point to a scalable option for universities looking to expand nonclinical supports for incoming students. The research team emphasized that the sessions were intentionally informal, allowing students to self-direct their interactions rather than following a scripted program. A survey in 2017 found that 62% of participating institutions offered similar animal-based stress relief programs, underscoring their growing acceptance.

The study’s authors said the pattern of results—reduced stress and depression after repeated access to therapy dogs—supports the idea that integrating animal-assisted interventions into campus life could complement traditional mental health services. Future steps will depend on institutional interest and follow-up efforts to adopt similar programs.

For now, the study offers concrete evidence from a single campus that accessible, unstructured time with therapy dogs can improve well-being during a period students often find especially challenging.

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Original reporting: view the original article.