Health Initiatives is excited to announce that pet therapy is returning this fall with more dates and locations. Students and employees experience stress and anxiety all year round. Pet therapy was brought to Georgia Tech as a way to help the campus community cope with the challenges of everyday life.

Research shows that there is a strong connection between animals and people. On average, almost 7 in 10 American households have a family pet. Leaving for college often means having to part with a beloved animal in pursuit of higher education. Pet therapy provides Georgia Tech students and employees with the opportunity to slow down and take some time for themselves in a familiar environment.

According to a study conducted by UCLA, the simple act of petting animals releases an automatic relaxation response. Petting animals promoted the release of serotonin, prolactin and oxytocin- all hormones that can play a part in elevating mood. Additionally, this can play a part in your physical health as well. Pet therapy has been shown to lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health as well as slow down breathing patterns for those who are experiencing anxiety. It can also help stimulate memory and problem solving skills. These lovable creatures offer a sense of friendship, comfort, confidence, and reliability, which can lead to fewer feelings of loneliness.

“Pet therapy is a fun way to release stress in a social and care free environment,” explained Health Educator Jocelyn Resnick. “We had such a positive response when we piloted the service this past semester that we knew that we needed to bring it back and expand it. We are looking for opportunities to personalize this program even more,” said Resnick. You can now place requests to bring pet therapy to your department or residence hall.

For a complete list of dates, times, and locations and more information about the program, visit - http://healthinitiatives.gatech.edu/pet-therapy.