The Impact of a Therapy Dog Team on Medical Students’ Physiological Stress and Perceived Anxiety Prior to an Exam

Abstract

ABSTRACT Research suggests that a therapy dog team may have a positive impact on medical students’ anxiety. However, no controlled studies have evaluated this intervention’s effect on their stress and anxiety before an exam. Twelve medical students participated in this study. Utilizing a repeated-measures design, each participant interacted with a therapy dog team before one exam and engaged in their regular pre-exam routine before another. Participants then recorded their level of perceived anxiety and had salivary cortisol levels measured. Results: Both conditions significantly decreased salivary cortisol levels from baseline. Additionally, perceived anxiety was significantly lower after interacting with the therapy dog team when compared to engaging in one’s regular pre-exam routine. This controlled study is the first to assess the impact of a therapy dog team on medical students’ exam stress and anxiety. Results support pre-exam interaction with a therapy dog team to reduce stress and anxiety.