The Impact of Therapy Dogs on Graduate-Level, Military-Affiliated Students

Abstract

Dogs have been companions on college campuses and with military personnel in a variety of therapeutic ways. Although research has been con-ducted regarding college students’ perceptions of therapy dog programs, research specifically examining military-affiliated students’ experiences with therapy dogs is limited. In this study, a therapy dog, registered with Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD), was introduced into a classroom with military-affiliated students over the course of one semester. All participants were Field-Grade Officers in a branch of the United States Military and were also recent graduates of a Department of Defense-approved (DOD) Civilian Institution (CI) graduate educational program. Participants shared that the presence of a therapy dog in the classroom positively impacted their mental health and wellbeing. Four themes emerged from the individual and group interviews with participants: Relational Connections, Emotional and Social Support, Positive Change in Climate, and Basic Needs.