Curtin introduces animal-assisted therapy for students

MIRI: Curtin University, Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) has introduced, believed to be a first for tertiary institutions in Malaysia, animal-assisted therapy to help its students relax while studying for their upcoming semester final examinations this month.

According to the university’s head of Library and Learning Commons, Mac’Earldon Mike Maxwell, who is organising the project, academic libraries in recent years have expanded their traditional focus on intellectual and scholarly pursuits, with many of them now initiating programmes that support student growth, development, and wellness.

He said examination can be very intense for students in terms of stress and anxiety, and his department thought it would be a good idea to support the physical and emotional wellbeing of students during this stress-filled time by providing animal therapy to help them relax.

“Although providing animalassisted activities to university students is a fairly new concept, the social and therapeutic benefits of pet ownership or simply interacting with animals are well documented,” said Mac’Earldon.

He added that studies have shown that interaction with animals in many different situations help reduce stress and improve outcomes.

In conjunction with the initiative, he said pet owners within the campus community and members of the public are invited to volunteer their pets for the ‘Animal Petting Corner’ and ‘Pet Tour’ on June 6, where students can interact with the animals.

He said the ‘Animal Petting Corner’ will be in part of the campus gardens and students will be invited to pet, hug, feed, brush, draw, photograph, sit near, and play with the animals.

For the ‘Pet Tour’, library staff and pet owners will bring animals on a tour of the university’s library, the 24-hour study area and student learning commons so that they can meet and interact with students.

Those willing to volunteer their pets can register with The Library at Curtin Malaysia before June 4, and bring their pets at 10 am on June 6. Up to five pet owners with any number of pets are required and will be considered on a first-come-firstserved basis. Each pet owner will be compensated RM50 per hour.

Smaller animals are preferred for the ‘Petting Corner’ while larger animals such as dogs and cats on leashes and accompanied by owners are ideal for the ‘Pet Tour’. All pets should preferably have had up-to-date health checks, be vaccinated, be well-groomed, and especially for larger animals, have a calm and playful demeanour in the presence of strangers. Dogs aged more than six months must be on a leash at all times.

For more details on the programme, contact Marina Samsudin at 085-630042 or email her at marina.s@curtin.edu.my.

Although providing animal-assisted activities to university students is a fairly new concept, the social and therapeutic benefits of pet ownership or simply interacting with animals are well documented. — Mac’Earldon Mike Maxwell, Curtin University head of Library and Learning Commons