Puppy power: study tests if therapy dogs can ease grad student stress

NCT ID NCT07036354

Ongoing Symptom relief Sponsor: Wichita State University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looks at whether spending time with a therapy dog can reduce anxiety and stress in graduate students. Thirty first-year grad students will either interact with a therapy dog or receive general health education. Researchers will measure stress through saliva cortisol levels, pain sensitivity, and anxiety questionnaires.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Human-Animal Interaction (time with a therapy dog)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could show that regular therapy dog visits help reduce anxiety and stress in graduate students, supporting the use of therapy dogs on campus.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage study with only 30 participants, so results may not apply to all students. The effect may be small or no different from general health education.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

anxiety anxiety disorder Human-Animal Interaction

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ANXIETY HUMAN-ANIMAL INTERACTION

Contacts and locations

Locations

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas, 67202, United States

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