Pet Therapy: Dogs De-Stress Students

Abstract

ABSTRACT 

Research supports the efficacy of the human-animal bond and pet therapy in a variety of settings. At nursing students' request at one school, the author began offering pet therapy prior to examinations. Anecdotal evidence of a study with the author's Golden Retriever, Goldilocks, demonstrates that pet therapy can reduce test anxiety and improve nursing student performance.

In Brief

Concerned about students' test anxiety, this nursing school librarian started offering her dog's soothing presence prior to exams. The response was so positive, an experiment was conducted to measure the effect. Anecdotal results suggest that pet therapy reduces test anxiety and improves student performance.