The Pets as Therapy sessions hosted weekly at Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD) will continue at the beginning of the second semester after a short hiatus for the duration of the semester holidays.
With Mental Health Awareness Month and the first semester coming to an end, concerns amongst students have been raised as to whether the ever-popular Pets as Therapy sessions held at SU will also be terminated, as no more Facebook-events could be found.
Dr Munita Dunn-Coetzee, director of the CSCD at SU, cleared up the confusion.
“We will start again in July when the classes have started – we just stop the sessions for the holidays as most students are then not on campus.”
The Pets as Therapy sessions for Stellenbosch students first started in May 2018.
Pets as Therapy is a non-profit organisation (NPO) that arranges therapeutic visits to institutions such as “retirement homes, frail-care facilities, special-needs schools […] and, of late, to the students of SU,” explains Dr Dunn-Coetzee.
André Smith (20) and Tayla Crocker (21) enjoying a Pets as Therapy session with therapy dog Trixie. PHOTO: Jana Greyling
Dr Marieanna le Roux, lecturer in the Department of Psychology at SU and member of the Executive Committee of the NPO, had contacted Dr Dunn-Coetzee about a possible collaboration with the CSCD, which would explore alternative ways of assisting SU students.
Dr Dunn-Coetzee explains that they had “decided to pilot [the concept] in 2018, only on the Stellenbosch campus first, and the feedback was just wonderful.”
The concept is based on research that has shown that, “apart from providing unconditional acceptance and love, human-animal interaction not only offers health benefits, but also psychological, social and emotional benefits.”
Dog owner and Pets as Therapy volunteer, Dick Crane (70), explains that his observations of dog-human interactions prove that “[dogs] can reach people in ways that we simply cannot.”
A recent survey conducted amongst 40 SU students shows that 67.5 percent of these students find that interaction with animals have a positive effect on their mental health.
The results of a recent survey conducted amongst 40 SU students. INFOGRAPHIC: Jana Greyling
Suzan Strauss (22), a psychology student and assistant at the Pets as Therapy sessions, explains that the sessions are for students who want a study break or need some distraction from their usual stress.
“Students can come and go as they like. Two volunteers come with their dogs and the students can sit and interact with the dogs, talk to other people, relax.”
A group of students sitting on the floor to interact with the two therapy dogs Trixie and Lexi. PHOTO: Jana Greyling
Laser Physics student André Smith (20) and BSc Human Life Science student Tayla Crocker (21) explain that the sessions are in a very relaxing, welcoming environment.
“The dogs are just an amazing distraction from other things in life. It’s a nice environment to just sit with your friends and see how they’re doing emotionally.”
Samira Cross (21), a BSc Chemical Biology student, adds that these sessions are not as intimidating as going to free counselling and “I know it’s an hour where I won’t be thinking about work.”
According to the survey conducted 57.5 percent of students experience an increase in mental health challenges during exam-time. SU has shared mental health tips to keep in mind during exams:
SU Student Affairs recommend different types of self-care. PHOTO: Facebook
SU suggests ways in which students can relax during exams. PHOTO: Facebook.