Two fourth-year occupational therapy (OT) students at Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Tygerberg Medical Campus, in collaboration with the Animal Welfare Society (AWS) recently brought four puppies onto Stellenbosch campus for the benefit of student mental health.
This was according to Christelle van Wyk and Marié van Wyk, the two final-year students who organised the Puppy Therapy Day event held on 20 August on the Rooiplein.
Four puppies from Animal Welfare Society Stellenbosch were recently brought to Stellenbosch University’s Rooiplein for Puppy Therapy Day, according to Christelle van Wyk and Marié van Wyk, two final-year occupational therapy students who organised the event. PHOTO: Amy Lindstrom
The event was part of the two students’ quarterly mental health campaign which they organise as part of their mental health placement at the university’s centre for student counselling and development (CSCD). They do this independently from their academic responsibilities.
“Puppy therapy provides significant benefits, including reduced stress and anxiety, enhanced mood, emotional support and greater relaxation,” said Christelle and Marié in an email to SMF News.
The therapeutic value of pets
This term’s mental health campaign theme, determined by the CSCD, highlighted the therapeutic value of pets, according to Christelle and Marié.
“This term featured the puppy therapy day, which combined coping strategies for students who do not have pets with the therapeutic benefits of animal interaction,” said Christelle.
An additional goal of the event was to promote OT as a service at the CSCD, according to Elmarie Kruger, a senior counselling psychologist at the CSCD involved in the organisation of the event.
“The CSCD provides funding for the activities and marketing materials, as well as supervision,” said Kruger.
Alongside the puppy interactions, they distributed literature detailing alternative stress reduction techniques, such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation, said Christelle.
A recent puppy therapy event at Stellenbosch University sought to highlight the therapeutic value of pets while also raising awareness about the occupational therapy services available at Stellenbosch University’s centre for student counselling and development, said Christelle van Wyk, one of Stellenbosch University’s fourth-year occupational therapy (OT) students who organised the Puppy Therapy Day. PHOTO: Amy Lindstrom
The value of occupational therapy
“[…] We aimed to raise awareness about the CSCD’s services and the field of occupational therapy, advocating for a profession that many people may not know about,” said Christelle and Marié, in an email to SMF News.
Collaboration between the CSCD and OT students began in 2022, with two students placed at the CSCD each term, said Kruger.
Towards the end of 2022, the CSCD reached out to various academic departments, offering professional training as an extension of CSCD services, said Kruger. This led to eight final-year OT students being placed at the CSCD for their mental health rotation, added Kruger.
Olivia Cammell, a third year BA (Humanities) student at SU who attended the event, said that the problems in her life feel insignificant when dogs are giving her unconditional love.
“When I feel caught up on life and everything is stressing me out, there’s nothing like petting a puppy to make me feel more relaxed,” she said.
A recent Puppy Therapy Day at Stellenbosch University featured signs asking for donations of dog food or dog toys to support the Animal Welfare Society, said Christelle van Wyk, one of the fourth-year occupational therapy (OT) students who organised the event. PHOTO: Amy Lindstrom