Research results validate value of comprehensive pet therapy at OSU

Thursday, December 14, 2023

Media Contact: Jane Braden | Gooden Group | 405-818-1905 | jane@goodengroup.com

Pete’s Pet Posse receives high marks for improving the emotional well-being of OSU campuses 

The Pete’s Pet Posse’s Research Committee is studying the impact therapy dogs can have on humans on Oklahoma State University campuses.  

The committee considered how Pete’s Pet Posse supports the well-being of the OSU Cowboy family in a now completed initial phase.   

The project — developed by the Pete’s Pet Posse Governing Board — was overseen by Dr. Ryan Chung, a P3 board member and OSU assistant vice provost for accreditation, assessment and testing.  

“Our study found very high satisfaction levels among survey participants with responses in the upper 90% range for experiences such as feeling welcome at Pete’s Pet Posse events, a decrease of stress, and an increase in happiness and mental health following a visit with the dogs,” said Dr. Rachel Schmitz, OSU associate professor of sociology and chair of the research committee. “Students routinely reported a visit with the therapy dogs relieved their feelings of homesickness while on campus.”  

The research team surveyed nearly 2,000 students as well as many of the 60 current owner/handler pet therapy teams across multiple college affiliations, class levels and campus locations. Additionally, the team conducted 30 in-depth interviews with OSU undergraduates, graduate students and staff members. 

“Pete’s Pet Posse was formed in 2013, first to bring smiles to the students, faculty, staff and visitors of the OSU campuses and over the years has assisted OSU Counseling Services when the campus experiences a crisis,” said Kendria Cost, director of the Ann Hargis OSU Center for Pet Therapy. “It’s gratifying to learn the first phase of this research study confirms our primary goal in forming the posse to boost the emotional well-being of the campus.” 

Other committee findings confirmed the positive aspects of being a Pete’s Pet Posse dog. All the owner/handlers surveyed believe their dogs benefit by participating in the program and over 75% reported improvement in their workplace. 

The research’s next phase is scheduled for spring 2024 and will explore the broader engagement of the Pete’s Pet Posse program in the wider community of Stillwater, the state of Oklahoma and the nation. The impression and impact of pet therapy on the university faculty and staff will also be examined next spring.  

The Pete’s Pet Posse Research Committee is one of four programs operating under the OSU Ann Hargis Center for Pet Therapy on the Stillwater campus including Pete’s Pet Posse, the Pete’s Pet Posse Governing Board and the Ruff Rider student auxiliary program.