Adapting to Change: A Mixed Methods Approach to Understand How Colleges and Universities Are Utilizing Animals to Help Students Transition into Higher Education

Authors

• Christopher Puglisi, State University of New York (SUNY), at FredoniaFollow
• Shalini Mathew, Northern State UniversityFollow
• Nicole D. Schutter, Northern State UniversityFollow
• Monte Meyerink, Northern State UniversityFollow
• Abiah George, Northern State UniversityFollow

Abstract

Individuals experience several changes in their lives, with one of the most impactful being leaving home to attend college. It is no surprise that college-age students need mental health support, especially in times of adjustment. To address this adjustment, animal-assisted interventions (AAI) have recently gained substantial attention. In this study, college and university departments that help students transition to higher education were surveyed (N = 59) and interviewed (N = 6) to understand how AAI are utilized. Results indicate that AAI have potential to ease students’ higher education transition, though institutions must establish an outline that states the benefits of AAI with the practical concerns of application.

Recommended Citation

Puglisi, Christopher; Mathew, Shalini; Schutter, Nicole D.; Meyerink, Monte; and George, Abiah (2026) "Adapting to Change: A Mixed Methods Approach to Understand How Colleges and Universities Are Utilizing Animals to Help Students Transition into Higher Education," People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice: Vol. 9 : Iss. 1, Article 6.
Available at: https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/paij/vol9/iss1/6