Ann Arbor Times

Eastern Michigan University professor John Palladino is promoting the use of therapy dogs in educational settings, both at college and K-12 levels. Since adopting his toy fox terrier, Kevin, Palladino has shown how therapy dogs can positively affect students' emotional and psychological well-being. "Kevin has a remarkable ability to connect with students, helping them regulate their emotions and focus on their studies," Palladino stated. He emphasized that research supports the benefits of interacting with therapy dogs, such as reducing anxiety and improving mood.

Palladino brings Kevin into his classes at EMU to provide future educators with firsthand experience of the impact therapy dogs can have. "By interacting with Kevin, our students gain insight into how they can incorporate therapy animals into their classrooms," he explained.

In addition to his work at EMU, Palladino and Kevin volunteer at various community organizations, including Lincoln Park High School. Hayley Cameron, an EMU alum and special education teacher at the school, praised Kevin's presence: “Having Kevin in the classroom has been a game-changer for my students."

EMU also acknowledges the importance of facility dogs like Tinker, who supports students on campus. Josh Nieman, an undergraduate student at EMU, shared how Tinker helps him manage stress: “She is such a great reminder that everything might be more manageable than it seems."

Palladino's advocacy extends beyond personal experiences; he highlights research indicating rising youth anxiety and depression since the COVID-19 pandemic. "Therapy dogs like Kevin can be powerful in addressing these challenges," he noted.

Despite these benefits, access to facility dogs is limited due to costs and demand. "The high demand and costs of facility dogs often restrict them to affluent schools," said Palladino. He suggested volunteer therapy dog teams as a cost-effective alternative.

Eastern Michigan University was founded in 1849 and serves nearly 13,000 students across various disciplines through its multiple colleges.