Paws for Mental Health Awareness JESSICA CHARBONNEAU, COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY; GREG HUM, CAMPUS LIVING CENTRES & STEPHANIE MUEHLETHALER, CAMPUS LIVING CENTRES

Who are we?

Learning Outcomes Participants will:  Have knowledge of the research which supports the positive impacts of integrating animals accompanied by a well designed and structured program into a Residence or College/University campus.  Have an understanding of the fundamental ways in which an animal companion and animal-assisted therapy in Residence or on a College/University campus can be valuable to the health and wellness of the student and staff populations.  Learn about the Health and Wellness Dog program which has been implemented at Canadore College and its impact on both the staff and students.

Research  Pre-historic time  Wolf/Dog as first animal  Greek horses  Egyptians African tabby wildcats  Caught mice and rats  They were pampered and treated with utmost respect.  1792 York Retreat  Mental illness  Reduce use of drugs and restraints

Research continued  1919: St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington D.C  Companions for residents in psychiatric care.  20 th Century – Medications  1944: Paper published on therapeutic value of animals  1969/72: Increase in publications including children and pets  Studies began by accident  1977 Delta Society: Leading North American Organization in AAT  Mission to promote mutually beneficial relationships between animals and people  Newton, CT

Why did we do this?  Growing Research  Mental Health Trends at Canadore College  Population Size (550)  Concerns for Well being- High Level  September 2011  5 Cases  2011/2012 Academic Year  Doubled: 11 Cases

Niijii  Niijii is a 3 year old German Shepherd  Canadore’s Mental Health and Wellness Dog  “Niijii” means Friend in Ojibwa  Recognized as a companion animal  Working Towards a St. John’s Ambulance Certificate

Policies and Procedures with Niijii  Mental Health and Wellness Dog Program Coordinator  Medical Evaluation of dog  Allergies in Residence  Training of Dog  Training of Staff  Management of Behaviour  Resident and Staff Screening  Student Contact with Dog  Safety and Risk Management  Financial Costs

Niijii’s Role 1. Communication 2. Provide a positive, uplifting environment during stressful times 3. Positive relationships between Residence staff and students 4. Build community in Residence. (Student to student relationships and staff to student relationships) 5. Create a comfortable, supportive and anxiety free atmosphere during conduct meetings, mediations and interventions and crisis situations 6. PART OF THE TEAM!

Niijii In residence  Rounds  Niijii Requests  Early Orientation and Move In  Judicial Meetings  Sits in conduct meetings  Roommate mediations  Specific Programs within Residence  Stress Busters  Exams  Crisis Situations  During  After  Recruitment and Retention

Niijii at Canadore  Presence around campus  Canadore Health Fair  Move in & Orientation  Bell Let’s Talk Day  Exam destress Day  Student Mental Health Fair  Website  Facebook  Recruitment

Assessment: High Level Mental Health Cases

Niijii Requests by Month Since the launch of the Niijii Request Form in September 2014

Impact of Niijii Niijii Request Forms  All students have the opportunity to request either one on one or group time with Niijii via an online form. Since the launch of the Niijii Request Form in September 2014

Niijii’s Impact on Student Transition to College

What Residence Activities best helped you relieve stress and anxiety while living in residence?

Winter Move Out 2014 What Residence Activities best helped you relieve stress and anxiety while living in residence?

Assessment: Focus Groups  Focus Groups  Niijii’s Role  “Whenever I’m Stressed out about things that are going on or exams, I always go to the office and find him there and I’ll just play with him a bit”  “Niijii definitely helps with stress. Just the fact of having a dog that loves you unconditionally just because you are you, helps you especially during exam time because it’s easy to take off stress and not have to worry about exams. I guess when you’re stressed out and you see a dog you get happy and kind of forget what is going on that quick second”  Niijii’s Purpose  “I think Niijii is here basically to be a positive impact for anyone living in residence because he makes everyone happy”

Assessment Continued  Focus Groups  Niijii’s impact on the residence community  I know he created a sense of community for the residents of the first floor because we could hear him barking and we would know he was there and it would give us a chance to see him.”  I think Niijii creates more community with people. For example the girls across the hall, we never really talked that much; however when we saw Niijii outside our room we saw them too and talked”  Niijii’s opportunity to better serve the community  “Just being around more. Not just having him in the office because you have to go out of your way. I know one time he was walking around the school which was cool so having him at the school more.”  “Having more residence events with Niijii or just being there with big things that are happening like move in and move out days, having him interact with students.”

Student Testimonials

Future of Niijii  Two research studies  Consistent training/practice with the RA team  Higher presence at college and in Residence  Incorporating him more into residence programming and community building

Other opportunities  St. John Ambulance  Red Cross

Questions???

Thank you!

References  Barker, S.B. & Dawson, K.S. (1998). The effects of animal-assisted therapy on anxiety ratings of hospitalized psychiatric patients. Psychiatric Services, 49,  Levinson, B. (1965). Pet psychotherapy: use of household pets in the treatment of behavior disorder in childhood. Psychological Reports, 17,  Lockwood, R. (1983). The influence of animals on social perception. In A. Katcher & A. Beck (eds.), New Perspectives on our Lives With Companion Animals (65-71). Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Press.  Urichuk, L. J. & Anderson, D. (2003). Improving Mental Health through Animal- Assisted Therapy. 87