How Therapy Dog Can Help College Students' with stress

In some universities and colleges, such as Georgetown in Washington, DC, dogs have been on campus for years as lucky charms to sports teams. However, gradually more dogs are becoming part of campus life to help relieve stress.

With the return of students to the University of South Carolina this year, they were greeted by Indy, a therapy dog who will soon become a constant presence on campus, according to Raleigh News & Observer. Once the dog training is complete, she will participate in pet-a-puppy events and hold office hours at the University Student Health Services.

The University of Southern California has a dog on campus since 2016. The black golden puppy known as Professor Beauregard Tirebiter - but you can call him "Beau" - has office hour at the student’s health center. According to the media reports, the university said it believe the dog was the first full-time facility pup on a college campus.

Research suggests that positive interactions with dogs can create a sense of calm and well-being for the person, according to Olga Solomon, a professor of occupational therapy at the University of Southern California in2016. Even only petting dogs can increase serotonin, beta-endorphins, and oxytocin - chemicals and hormones that make people happy and reduce the stress hormone cortisol.