Therapy Dogs bring calming cuddles in Study Week

As Trimester One came to a close, students across Deakin Res were busy preparing for exams and completing assignments. Though it’s the culmination of months of rewarding learning, Study Week (or SWOTVAC) can be a stressful time, and that’s why we called on some canine companions to provide some much-needed downtime.

Volunteer handlers from the Delta Society brought their trained therapy dogs to campus in Burwood and Waurn Ponds, giving students the ability to interact with these well-trained pooches and each other. From Jack Russells to Border Collies, Poodles to Greyhounds, the group of dogs was diverse and for the students it was an opportunity to de-stress, catch up and enjoy a moment of calm.

While it might have seemed like incidental fun for the students, research shows that sessions like this can help to improve physical well-being, decrease anxiety, ease social isolation and increase positive mood.

When asked about their experience of the sessions, students responded positively, with Waurn Ponds resident Jayden saying,

It was a really nice break from study and a good excuse to hang out with friends and pat the doggos.

And Burwood student Felice said,

My parents don’t like dogs or cats. I have wanted a dog for so long and now I can finally see some.

The volunteer handlers were impressed by the way our students interacted with the therapy dogs, with handler Richard saying,

The reaction we get is amazing sometimes. The smile comes on their face and they just relax. It’s a distraction from their day-to-day pressures and just being able to relate to the dogs.

These sessions are a small but important part of the health and wellbeing programming covered within Deakin Residential Services’ Student Experience Pillars. We look forward to welcoming these beautiful dogs back for SWOTVAC in the future.

Interested to learn about our Student Experience Pillars? You can read more about them here.