Comfort animals prompt university to rethink policy

As therapy dogs become more common in offices throughout the business world, some universities are looking at how they can accommodate students who require a pet to relieve their anxiety.

During exam time last spring, the Caring Canine Therapy Dogs visited Holland College to help students ease their stress.

Dalhousie University in Halifax has a "puppy room" in its Student Union Building.

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While most universities don't allow students to bring pets on campus, it's increasingly becoming a topic of conversation.

In the last couple of years, those comfort animals have become more prevalent so we've had to design other policies around service animals to ensure we are serving our students in the best possible way.- Treena Smith

UPEI, for example, doesn't allow pets on campus or in residence except for fish in a bowl or tank, according to the student handbook but will make provisions for students who require the aid of an animal.

And as the role of comfort animals expands to include stress relief, universities like UPEI are getting requests to bring them on campus.

"In the last couple of years, those comfort animals have become more prevalent so we've had to design other policies around service animals to ensure we are serving our students in the best possible way," said Treena Smith, manager of student affairs at UPEI.

Needs of whole university

Some students may be allergic to certain animals, Smith said, so the needs of the whole university must be considered. But ultimately the university acts on the advice of health-care professionals.

"Animals and pets of course reduce anxiety for everybody who is attached to their pet," she said.

"If it was the recommendation of the physician or psychiatrist that the student needs to bring a pet on campus, then we would accommodate on their recommendation."

Topic of conversation

The role of comfort animals is a topic that often comes up during meetings with her university colleagues across the country, Smith said.

"It's certainly something over the last couple years we've discussed and chatted about," she said. "I would suspect that we will be having more conversations about this both provincially and nationally."

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