Paws for stress relief: therapy dogs visit Hatfield campus for exam season

The Department of Library Services announced the return of the beloved furry therapists of TOP Dogs, the biggest dog therapy organization in Gauteng, to the Hatfield campus on 20, 22, and 23 May 2024.

Research has shown that spending time with animals can significantly reduce stress and promote relaxation, so students were encouraged to take fifteen minutes out of their busy schedules to cuddle up with these friendly doggos and experience their pawsitive vibes firsthand!

All three events were well attended, and the students also participated in a short survey that revealed a few interesting facts:

• 86% of the attendees were undergraduate students. The rest consisted of support staff members (7.8%) and postgraduate students (5.8%).
• 76.7% indicated that interacting with the dogs reduced their stress levels.
• 79% indicated that interacting with the dogs calmed them down.
• 72.8% had never attended a dog therapy session before, while the rest were returning attendees.

Students begged the organizers for more dogs and more sessions. Some also complained that the events were too popular and wanted private interactions with the dogs, which is unfortunately not possible due to logistical challenges.

Some students expressed concerns about the dogs' well-being and the potential for sensory overload from the crowds. However, Alta Rossouw, the TOP Dogs organizer, assured that they know their dogs well and know how to relax them and handle the situation if they are overstimulated. Attendees are reminded that these are the therapists’ own dogs, and their well-being is foremost in the minds of the organizers.

The most positive feedback came from Sbusiso Ndlovu who wrote: “I wanted to express my sincerest gratitude for allowing owners to bring their dogs to campus. University can be a very challenging and lonely environment but every now and then it is really nice to bump into some animal friends and reduce the pent-up anxiety that often exists within the quietest of students. You helped students more than you can possibly imagine and for me personally it was a beautiful moment of catharsis. Please extend my gratitude to the owners and ask them to give their dogs the biggest hugs for us.”

Listen to the TUKS FM interview with Elsabé Olivier from the Department of Library Services and Alta Rossouw from TOP Dogs.