UT Students Get Stress Relief From Therapy Dogs
Students at the University of Tennessee recently accessed therapy animals to help manage academic pressure.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Dogs
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The University of Tennessee Student Counseling Center recently hosted a PAWS for a Break event to help students manage academic stress. The program utilizes therapy animals to provide calming, therapeutic interactions between classes.
Why it matters
Human-animal interaction is recognized for its potential to lower stress levels, offering a practical mental health outlet for students navigating a demanding academic schedule. This program brings the benefits of these connections directly to campus locations.
The event featured Donkey, a 2-year-old Irish Wolfhound, who is part of the HABIT outreach program. Screened animals also regularly visit off-campus sites including hospitals and nursing homes.
The players
HABIT
An outreach program within the University of Tennessee veterinary school that provides animal-assisted therapy services.
University of Tennessee Student Counseling Center
The campus department responsible for student mental health services and hosting wellness-focused student events.
The details
The HABIT program, an initiative within the veterinary school, selects and screens animals for behavior and medical health before they interact with the public. By bringing these animals to campus offices and event spaces, the program creates controlled environments where students can engage with animals to help regulate their emotional response to academic pressure.
Timeline
The PAWS for a Break event was held on October 23, 2026.
Donkey the Irish Wolfhound will turn two years old in December 2026.
The Home Front
The use of therapy animals on campus mirrors broader institutional trends in integrating animal-assisted support into wellness programming. These initiatives build on established therapy animal models traditionally found in clinical and long-term care settings.
If you are looking for ways to reduce household stress, consider the therapeutic benefits of animal companionship, which many health professionals note can lower heart rates and anxiety. Research local animal-assisted therapy or volunteer programs if you are interested in getting involved with therapy animal training.
The takeaway
Connecting with animals like Donkey can serve as an effective, low-cost stress management strategy for students and families alike. Consider identifying local pet-friendly parks or community programs that support wellness through animal interaction as part of your regular mental health maintenance.
Further reading
Learn more about local pet programs and resources in our Dogs section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Beacon.
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Do you believe animal therapy events on campus help improve student mental health and stress?
