Library Guides: One Health/One Medicine: Pet Therapy

In the News

Allen, J.E. (2011, March 24). Checking Out Monty: Yale Law Students Can Reduce Stress With Therapy Dog
At the Yale Law Library circulation desk, students have been signing up this week to check out Monty, a "certified library therapy dog," for 30-minute sessions of unconditional, stress-busting puppy love.
Barker, S. B., Barker, R. T., McCain, N. L., & Schubert, C. M. (2016). A Randomized Cross-over Exploratory Study of the Effect of Visiting Therapy Dogs on College Student Stress Before Final Exams. Anthrozoös, 29(1), 35-46.
“Stress is a major problem for college students and exams are considered one of the major stressors,” Barker said. Providing students with an opportunity to interact with visiting therapy dogs on campus can serve as a low-cost outreach intervention that is easily accessible to students and requires few professional resources.”
Beetz, A., Uvnäs-Moberg, K., Julius, H., & Kotrschal, K. (2012). Psychosocial and psychophysiological effects of human-animal interactions: the possible role of oxytocin. Frontiers in psychology, 3, 234.
"The existing evidence clearly points at the potential of interactions with animals, especially one’s own pet-dog, to increase OT levels in humans."
Castellano, J. (2015, July 6). Pet Therapy Is A Nearly Cost-Free Anxiety Reducer On College Campuses
"Maybe years ago, having these events wouldn’t have been as needed, but because of increased stress levels, now they are.”
Christensen, J. (2013, December 19). Therapy dogs: 'Perfect medicine' to help students survive finals.
"You see (students') shoulders drop and see them smile. This is a great way for them to keep life in perspective. That really is the most significant part of the program. With academic stress, it's not uncommon for students to get tunnel vision during finals. Five minutes with a cat or dog, it clears their head."
Krisberg, K. (2015, April 17). Therapy Dogs Ease Stress for Students and Staff
"'Medical students see a lot of pain and suffering and loss on a regular basis, so this [program] offers a type of rejuvenation,' said Jane Bogart, EdD, director of the Center for Student Wellness. 'They have to grapple with and learn how to deal with really difficult emotional challenges…so anything that helps with their resilience and coping skills, we think is really important.'"

Therapy Dogs at Work

Books

Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy
Call Number: Online
Pets and the Elderly
Call Number: RM931.A65 C88 1984
Every Living Being
Call Number: QL85 .B65 2010
Animal Assisted Therapy in Counseling
Call Number: RC489.P47 C48 2012

Ann Gafke's Teacher's Pet

Credit Grace Atkins

Ann Gafke's Teacher's Pet provides therapy dog training, and works with several organizations throughout the Mid-Missouri area. Many of their members and their dogs are certified by Therapy Dogs International (TDI). Below are some organizations that they work with:

Libraries: University of Missouri Libraries, Daniel Boone Regional Library, Missouri River Regional Library

Schools:University of Missouri College of Education, Macon County R-1 School District, Boonville R-1 School District, Jefferson City Public Schools

Hospitals: MU Health (Women's and Children's Hospital, University Hospital, Missouri Psychiatric Center), Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Boone Hospital Center, Rusk Rehabilitation Center