Cooke Emily, Henderson-Wilson Claire, Warner Elyse
Deakin University, Burwood, Australia.
Health Promot J Austr. 2021 Oct;32 Suppl 2:256-266. doi: 10.1002/hpja.411. Epub 2020 Sep 19.
Internationally, universities have recognised the benefits of Pet Support Programs (PSPs). However, existing literature has predominately focused on quantitatively measuring health outcomes associated with a PSP amongst student populations. This research aimed to explore the feasibility of a PSP within an Australian university, as there is a need to explore practical considerations involved in implementation.
This research used a qualitative descriptive approach. Participants were recruited via purposive snowball sampling. The sample included 17 participants across eight administrative divisions within an Australian university. Semi-structured individual interviews were used to collect data. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.
Three main themes emerged from the data: Organisational Change, Program Management and Perceived Outcomes. Findings suggest several considerations from both an organisational and program level that need to be addressed prior to implementation, including the university's policies, the location and animal welfare. The main perceived outcomes were stress relief and social support. Ways to minimise risks to those who may have an aversion towards animals were also discussed.
Participants believed implementing a PSP would be feasible in the university setting, provided all aforementioned considerations were adequately addressed. Considerations identified have the potential to act as a barrier or a facilitator depending on how they are managed. SO WHAT?: Where feasible and later implemented, a PSP could provide Australian university students and staff with an alternative means of improving mental health, providing stress relief and contributing towards the Health Promoting University framework.
在国际上，大学已经认识到宠物支持计划（PSP）的益处。然而，现有文献主要集中在定量测量学生群体中与PSP相关的健康结果。本研究旨在探讨在澳大利亚一所大学实施PSP的可行性，因为有必要探讨实施过程中涉及的实际考量因素。
本研究采用定性描述方法。通过目的抽样滚雪球法招募参与者。样本包括澳大利亚一所大学八个行政部门的17名参与者。使用半结构化个人访谈收集数据。采用主题分析法对数据进行分析。
数据中出现了三个主要主题：组织变革、项目管理和感知结果。研究结果表明，在实施之前，需要从组织和项目层面解决几个考量因素，包括大学政策、地点和动物福利。主要的感知结果是缓解压力和社会支持。还讨论了如何将对动物有厌恶情绪的人的风险降至最低。
参与者认为，只要充分考虑上述所有因素，在大学环境中实施PSP是可行的。根据管理方式的不同，所确定的考量因素有可能成为障碍或促进因素。那又如何？：在可行并随后实施的情况下，PSP可以为澳大利亚大学生和教职员工提供一种改善心理健康、缓解压力并有助于促进健康大学框架的替代方式。
