“I Left Calmer, Happier, and Connected”: What College Students Report as Meaningful in an On-Campus Drop-In Dog Therapy Program

On-campus therapy dog programs are increasingly common across colleges as a way to reduce students’ stress and optimize their well-being. The aim of this study was to determine whether any aspect of college students’ interactions within an on-campus therapy dog program was deemed meaningful by students. Participants (N = 676) who attended an on-campus canine program were asked to complete a brief demographic questionnaire along with an open-ended prompt asking them: “Did you experience anything meaningful in your interactions today? If yes, please describe.” The majority of participants (n = 548) provided answers, and thematic content revealed that the meaningful aspects of the sessions were the dogs, the opportunity to connect with others, and the chance for conversation. These findings inform the broader campus community, especially program staff responsible for promoting student well-being initiatives.