College of Public Health, Medicine, and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
Health Promot J Austr. 2024 Apr;35(2):525-533. doi: 10.1002/hpja.782. Epub 2023 Jul 19.
Canine Support Programs (CSPs) are a potential solution to growing university student support demands. While current studies focus on the impacts of CSPs, there is limited understanding of the views and expectations of tertiary students about CSPs. This study explored the perceptions and preferences of students in an Australian regional university about CSPs.
A questionnaire with multiple choice and open-ended questions surveyed residential students' perspectives about CSP. Data were analysed using descriptive statistical tests and thematic analysis for open responses.
Majority (98%) of participants (sample n = 48) would support a CSP on campus. Frequent, small-group interactions of ≥15 min involving physical contact were preferred. Dog disposition, welfare-trained handlers, and veterinary certification were important aspects of program safety. Participants strongly agreed a CSP would improve mental health and well-being, relieve stress, reduce feelings of homesickness, provide support, comfort, and enable social interactions.
There is strong support among the study population for CSP to be established on campus. This study supports earlier research that CSP has benefit potential for new, stressed, and/or students who love dogs. The preferences of students should inform program design to enhance utility and impact. This aligns with Health Promoting Universities and College's Okanagan Charter principle of 'engaging student voices'. More institutional awareness and support for CSPs will be necessary for integration. SO WHAT?: This study reveals the need for tailored and creative student support beyond traditional offerings including those that focus on student well-being and social initiatives. CSPs can be utilised as an advocate, enabler, and medium for mental health promotion action and well-being support for tertiary students; thereby, contributing to the 'Health Promoting University' agenda in Australia. It also reinforces the need for a Health in All Policies approach to be incorporated into our tertiary education sector. Future actions should focus on improving institutional awareness, support, and sector implementation.
犬只支持计划（CSPs）是满足不断增长的大学生支持需求的潜在解决方案。虽然目前的研究侧重于 CSP 的影响，但对于大学生对 CSP 的看法和期望的理解有限。本研究探讨了澳大利亚一所地区大学学生对 CSP 的看法。
一份带有多项选择和开放式问题的问卷调查了住宿学生对 CSP 的看法。使用描述性统计检验和开放式回答的主题分析来分析数据。
大多数（98%）参与者（样本 n=48）支持校园内的 CSP。他们更喜欢频繁、小团体、持续时间至少 15 分钟的互动，并涉及到身体接触。狗的性格、受过福利训练的 handler 和兽医认证是计划安全的重要方面。参与者强烈同意 CSP 将改善心理健康和幸福感、缓解压力、减少思乡之情、提供支持、安慰，并促进社交互动。
研究人群中强烈支持在校园内建立 CSP。本研究支持了早期的研究，即 CSP 对新入学、压力大的学生或喜欢狗的学生具有潜在的益处。学生的偏好应该为项目设计提供信息，以提高实用性和影响力。这与健康促进型大学和奥肯那根宪章的原则“参与学生声音”相一致。需要更多的机构意识和对 CSP 的支持，才能将其融入。那么，这意味着什么呢？本研究揭示了需要针对学生的需求，提供量身定制的、创造性的学生支持，这些支持不仅包括传统的关注学生幸福感和社会倡议的支持，还包括那些以学生的心理健康和幸福感为重点的服务。CSP 可以作为倡导者、推动者和心理健康促进行动和幸福感支持的媒介，为澳大利亚的“健康促进型大学”议程做出贡献。它还强调了需要将健康全政策方法纳入我们的高等教育部门。未来的行动应侧重于提高机构意识、支持和部门实施。
