paws for mental health awareness jessica charbonneau, colorado state university; greg hum, campus...
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Paws for Mental Health Awareness
JESSICA CHARBONNEAU, COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY; GREG HUM, CAMPUS LIVING CENTRES & STEPHANIE MUEHLETHALER, CAMPUS LIVING CENTRES
Who are we?
Learning Outcomes
Participants will:
Have knowledge of the research which supports the positive impacts of integrating animals accompanied by a well designed and structured program into a Residence or College/University campus.
Have an understanding of the fundamental ways in which an animal companion and animal-assisted therapy in Residence or on a College/University campus can be valuable to the health and wellness of the student and staff populations.
Learn about the Health and Wellness Dog program which has been implemented at Canadore College and its impact on both the staff and students.
Research
Pre-historic time Wolf/Dog as first animal Greek horses Egyptians African tabby wildcats
Caught mice and rats They were pampered and treated with utmost respect.
1792 York Retreat Mental illness Reduce use of drugs and restraints
Research continued
1919: St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington D.C Companions for residents in psychiatric care.
20th Century – Medications 1944: Paper published on therapeutic value of animals 1969/72: Increase in publications including children and pets
Studies began by accident
1977 Delta Society: Leading North American Organization in AAT Mission to promote mutually beneficial relationships between animals and
people
Newton, CT
Why did we do this?
Growing Research Mental Health Trends at Canadore College Population Size (550) Concerns for Well being- High Level
September 20115 Cases
2011/2012 Academic Year Doubled: 11 Cases
Niijii
Niijii is a 3 year old German Shepherd Canadore’s Mental Health and Wellness Dog “Niijii” means Friend in Ojibwa Recognized as a companion animal Working Towards a St. John’s Ambulance Certificate
Policies and Procedures with Niijii
Mental Health and Wellness Dog Program Coordinator
Medical Evaluation of dog
Allergies in Residence
Training of Dog
Training of Staff
Management of Behaviour
Resident and Staff Screening
Student Contact with Dog
Safety and Risk Management
Financial Costs
Niijii’s Role
1. Communication
2. Provide a positive, uplifting environment during stressful times
3. Positive relationships between Residence staff and students
4. Build community in Residence. (Student to student relationships and staff to student relationships)
5. Create a comfortable, supportive and anxiety free atmosphere during conduct meetings, mediations and interventions and crisis situations
6. PART OF THE TEAM!
Niijii In residence
Rounds
Niijii Requests
Early Orientation and Move In
Judicial Meetings Sits in conduct meetings
Roommate mediations
Specific Programs within Residence Stress Busters 10@10
Exams
Crisis Situations During
After
Recruitment and Retention
Niijii at Canadore
Presence around campus Canadore Health Fair
Move in & Orientation
Bell Let’s Talk Day
Exam destress Day
Student Mental Health Fair
Website Facebook Recruitment
Assessment: High Level Mental Health Cases
High Level Concern for Wellbeing Reports
Students sent directly to hopstial via EMS
Police Assistance Required
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
2011/2012
2012/2013
2013/2014
2014/2015
Number of Cases
Niijii Requests by Month
Since the launch of the Niijii Request Form in September 2014
September30%
October11%
November19%
December8%
January5%
February14%
March 11%
April3%
Impact of Niijii
Niijii Request Forms All students have the opportunity to request either one on one or
group time with Niijii via an online form.
Since the launch of the Niijii Request Form in September 2014
Homesickness
I miss my dog
Mental Health Concern
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
2014/20152014/2015
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 100%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
12%
2% 2% 1%
40%
15%17%
7%4%
12%
Degree of Helpfulness
Pe
rce
nta
ge
Niijii’s Impact on Student Transition to College
21.25
8.8
11.16
55.78
8.08
22.67
Community Floor Programming
24 Hour Mental Healkth & Wellness Centre/Crisis Line
Canadore Cares Week
Niijii- The Mental Health and Wellness Dog
Monthly Residence Council Dinners
Other
Winter Move Out 2013
What Residence Activities best helped you relieve stress and anxiety while living in residence?
Winter Move Out 2014
29.75
10.11
11.08
44.9
34.58
19.01
Community Floor Programming
Multicultural Week
Canadore Cares Week
Niijii- The Mental Health and Wellness Dog
Monthly Residence Council Dinners
Other
What Residence Activities best helped you relieve stress and anxiety while living in residence?
Assessment: Focus Groups
Focus Groups Niijii’s Role
“Whenever I’m Stressed out about things that are going on or exams, I always go to the office and find him there and I’ll just play with him a bit”
“Niijii definitely helps with stress. Just the fact of having a dog that loves you unconditionally just because you are you, helps you especially during exam time because it’s easy to take off stress and not have to worry about exams. I guess when you’re stressed out and you see a dog you get happy and kind of forget what is going on that quick second”
Niijii’s Purpose “I think Niijii is here basically to be a positive impact for anyone living in
residence because he makes everyone happy”
Assessment Continued
Focus Groups Niijii’s impact on the residence community
I know he created a sense of community for the residents of the first floor because we could hear him barking and we would know he was there and it would give us a chance to see him.”
I think Niijii creates more community with people. For example the girls across the hall, we never really talked that much; however when we saw Niijii outside our room we saw them too and talked”
Niijii’s opportunity to better serve the community
“Just being around more. Not just having him in the office because you have to go out of your way. I know one time he was walking around the school which was cool so having him at the school more.”
“Having more residence events with Niijii or just being there with big things that are happening like move in and move out days, having him interact with students.”
Student Testimonials
Future of Niijii
Two research studies Consistent training/practice with the RA team Higher presence at college and in Residence Incorporating him more into residence programming and community
building
Other opportunities
St. John Ambulance Red Cross
Questions???
Thank you!
References
Barker, S.B. & Dawson, K.S. (1998). The effects of animal-assisted therapy on anxiety ratings of hospitalized psychiatric patients. Psychiatric Services, 49, 797-801.
Levinson, B. (1965). Pet psychotherapy: use of household pets in the treatment of behavior disorder in childhood. Psychological Reports, 17, 695-698.
Lockwood, R. (1983). The influence of animals on social perception. In A. Katcher & A. Beck (eds.), New Perspectives on our Lives With Companion Animals (65-71). Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Press.
Urichuk, L. J. & Anderson, D. (2003). Improving Mental Health through Animal- Assisted Therapy. 87