Dogs to play lead role in university’s project for student wellbeing

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Dogs are at the heart of a wellbeing programme at one of Scotland’s largest universities to help boost the mental health of its students and promote an understanding of canine welfare. Professor Jo Williams, one of the programme’s creators, said that interacting with dogs can “have a range of benefits for students from reducing stress to increasing positive mood”. Interacting with the dogs is an essential part of the programme and students are also learning about canine welfare and compassion to self and others Professor Jo Williams “Interacting with the dogs is an essential part of the programme and students are also learning about canine welfare and compassion to self and others.” Each session focuses on specific learning outcomes and therapeutic objectives that are designed to help students reflect on their own challenges and recognise the connections between their wellbeing and an animal’s welfare needs, the university said. Its use of psychological principles differs to other pet therapies, the university said, being the first of its kind to combine student mental health and animal welfare through a series of planned sessions.