Every year, the Campus Well-Being team partners with community groups to offer both staff and students special moments of reprieve with therapy dogs from St. John Ambulance and the friendly felines at our Purradise Pop-Up Cat Café. These programs aren’t just a pleasant break in a hectic schedule — spending time with animals has been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve mood, helping to strengthen mental health and wellbeing.

You may be wondering: how does spending just a few calm minutes with a furry friend lead to all these mental health wins?

Here is what the research shows:

• Even short interactions (5-10 minutes) with therapy animals can significantly reduce anxiety and boost mood—long enough to slow down heart rate and quiet racing thoughts.
• Touching, stroking, or simply being near animals can lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone), while increasing oxytocin—the “feel good” hormone that promotes bonding and calm.
• Animal interactions also help us become more present: the tactile experience (petting fur, feeling warmth) pulls us out of our heads and into the moment, which promotes relaxation and mental clarity.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Upcoming events:

St. Johns Ambulance Therapy Dogs (no registration required)

Notre Dame Campus

September 16th – Campus Bookstore Hallway & October 9th – T Building Common Space

Exchange District Campus

October 7 – Atrium Hallway

Purradise Pop Up Cat Cafe (registration required Campus Well-Being Portal)

Notre Dame Campus

September 23 – Room E207

Exchange District Campus

September 19 – Room P107

Sources:

Walden University: 5 ways pet therapy can be helpful

Integrativepsych.org: The mental health benefits of pet companionship