An anthropology student at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo is researching the use of therapeutic animals, namely dogs, for stress relief. The project is part of a directed study that Professor of Anthropology Lynn Morrison is conducting with senior anthropology student Reyanna Savedra.

The project involves animal petting sessions that have been held weekly on campus since mid-February where UH Hilo students can experience the benefits of therapeutic animal interaction between classes.

“Reyanna needed three credits to graduate, so we started talking about a directed study,” says Morrison. “She’s really into animals and I’m really into animals too. The idea is focused around shelter animals.”

Savedra says they bring in shelter animals that are adoptable and friendly toward people and offer students and faculty the chance to come and pet animals, de-stress, and socialize with other students in campus.

Read more at UH Hilo Stories