Feature Story 

College Canines optimize student mental health 

by Isabella D’Onofrio 

 

College canine therapy dogs visit freshman to help with student stress and mental health. 

 

“Dogs are such a huge part of my life and I have two at home, so I was missing them a lot. These events help a lot when I am stressed out in school. I also love the opportunity to come and say hi because they are always so cute and welcoming,” said Lilly Benz, a freshman dance major at Point Park.  

Benz was one of the students in attendance at the college canine event on September 19. Clancy, a five-year old Mini Goldendoodle, was Lilly’s latest furry friend. 

 

Therapy dogs are crucial for college students’ mental health. When new students move away from their homes, they sometimes leave their pets as well, which can be extremely heart-rending.  

 

Playing with a dog, cat, or other pet can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, according to Psychology Today. Twice every month, Point Park students have the chance to interact with the loving therapy dogs. This gives them an opportunity to enjoy some animal love away from home.  

August Carter, a freshman theatre arts major at Point Park, was another dog-lover who had a fun time with the affectionate animals. 

“I’ve really been missing my dog lately, so this is very therapeutic for me,” Carter said. 

Carter was one of about 40 students and two dog owners.  

 

There is no better feeling than cuddling, petting, or spending time with adorable animals. Canines are dynamites of boundless energy. However, they can also perform services for various kinds of people at different places. 

 

 These services could include going to hospitals, nursing homes, or college campuses to provide an overall positive distraction to ailments. According to Dog Training Elite, a puppy training program, there are many ways a dog can be trained. The most common way is group classes where multiple dogs can be trained at the same time. 

 It can take 1-2 years for a therapy dog to be fully trained with a cost ranging from about $3000 to $15,000. 

 

 

Therapy dogs and service dogs have significant differences between the two. Therapy dogs are trained to comfort and improve the lives of people they meet in various settings. Service dogs are trained to meet the needs of their handler. Service dogs are also individually trained to perform tasks for the benefit of someone with a disability, according to The Farmer’s Dog. 

 

Several students at the event asked about the possibility of therapy dogs visiting their classrooms because they think it could further improve their mental health. Students voiced their opinions on how it would be good for those unable to come to the lobby due to class.  

 

Laura Hoffman, staff clinician at the Point Park Counseling Center, is involved with the college canine events. 

 “The reason we started doing this was because we heard Point Park had done it before and students have always loved it, so we wanted to bring it back. Plus, this brings students together so they can meet one another and bond in a great way,” said Hoffman. 

 

Ron Frey and his Labrador, Qpid, were one of the canine visitors at the event. Frey has worked with the UPMC Therapy Dog Program with Qpid for 13 years as well as one and a half years as a PPU college canine participant. 

 “I enjoy sharing the goodwill of witnessing how Qpid can instantly change people’s demeanor. It’s a fact that Therapy Dog interaction reduces blood pressure, pulse, and respiration.” Frey said. 

 

The cute and cuddly dogs continue to make a substantial impact on the students at the university.