My Canine Companion in collaboration with University College Cork today launched a new service dog programme to combat stress and anxiety.

• As college students gear up for the new term, accredited service dogs will support student well-being on campus.

• Led by UCC’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, the initiative is the first of its kind in a university in Ireland.

Therapy dogs will be at the heart of a new well-being programme led by University College Cork (UCC) and My Canine Companion. The first of its kind in a university in Ireland, the PAWS programme aims to enhance student well-being and increase supports for students adjusting to university life.

Trained service dogs from My Canine Companion will become part of life on campus in a range of canine-assisted wellbeing events for students and staff. Weekly activities will be designed to promote social connections, reduce feelings of stress and anxiety and support students’ overall well-being.

The MCC PAWS @ UCC programme aims to tackle feelings of loneliness, stress and homesickness among university students, issues which can affect their physical and mental well-being and their academic performance. The service dogs will bring people together and provide opportunities for social connection, taking much needed breaks between time studying in the library or attending lectures.

 Internationally pet wellness programmes have been shown to act as an important mental health intervention on university campuses. Loneliness and homesickness are common challenges for university students, affecting their emotions, physical well-being, and academic performance.

Research has shown that interacting with dogs can decrease cortisol levels, a stress-related hormone, in university students and reduce feelings of loneliness. Various studies have found that people demonstrated an increase in levels of oxytocin, a hormone linked to bonding and positive emotional states, after time spent with dogs.

At a time where first year students prepare to commence their third level studies at UCC, the PAWS programme will play a significant role in helping new students adjust to university life.