Canine-Assisted Intervention Reduces Anxiety and Stress in Higher Education Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract The purpose of this study was to explore benefits interacting with a canine on anxiety, stress, depression, and wellbeing in Higher Education ( HE ) students. Sixty participants took part randomized controlled trial. Assigned either the canine-assisted intervention CAI or control group, group interacted whereas watched an unrelated slideshow. Anxiety, measures were completed pre- post-intervention demonstrated there significant decrease anxiety stress group. Due differences pre-intervention, findings for depression uninterpretable no effect found general wellbeing. Overall, uses explores use singular, brief session students demonstrating be effective means supporting mental health by decreasing levels treatment