A primary mission of universities is promoting student success and
well-being. Many college and university personnel have implemented
initiatives that offer students the documented benefits of positive
human-animal interaction (HAI). Accumulating evidence suggests that
assistance dogs, therapy dogs, and shelter dogs can support student
wellness and learning. The best programs balance the welfare of humans
and canines while assessing students' needs and complying with all laws
and regulations. Contributors to this edited volume have drawn upon
research across many disciplines as well as their extensive practical
experiences to produce a timely and valuable resource--for
administrators and students. Whether readers are just getting started or
striving to improve well-established programs, The Canine-Campus
Connection provides authoritative, evidence-based guidance on bringing
college students and canines together in reciprocally beneficial ways.
Part one examines the interactions between postsecondary students and
canines by reviewing the literature on the human-canine bond. It
establishes what necessarily must be the top priority in canine-assisted
activities and therapy: the health and safety of both. Part two
highlights four major categories of dogs that students are likely to
interact with on and off campus: service dogs, emotional support animals
(ESAs), therapy dogs, and homeless dogs. Part three emphasizes ways in
which dogs can influence student learning during classes and across
aspects of their professional development. Part four considers future
directions. Authors take the stance that enriching and enlarging
interactions between college students and canines will require
university personnel who plan and evaluate events, projects, and
programs. The book concludes with the recommendation that colleges and
universities move toward more dog-friendly campus cultures.
