Canines, Kids, and Kindness

Therapy

Therapy Dogs Can Unite College Students and Seniors

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on February 14, 2023

Therapy dogs can serve as social catalysts, bringing students and seniors together.

Therapy dogs can serve as social catalysts, bringing students and seniors together.

Stress

The Proliferation and Appeal of On-Campus Therapy Dog Programs

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on January 12, 2023

Providing access to therapy dogs is a low-cost and low-barrier way to help college students reduce stress and anxiety.

Providing access to therapy dogs is a low-cost and low-barrier way to help college students reduce stress and anxiety.

Stress

Who Makes a Good Therapy Dog?

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on November 9, 2022

Not all canines are well-suited to working as a therapy dog. Discover the key traits characterizing a strong therapy dog.

Not all canines are well-suited to working as a therapy dog. Discover the key traits characterizing a strong therapy dog.

Education

Perceptions of School Kindness Are Linked to Academic Engagement

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on October 21, 2022

Want to increase students' academic engagement? Consider how kind the school is perceived to be.

Want to increase students' academic engagement? Consider how kind the school is perceived to be.

Stress

Adapting to College: Strategies to Avoid Homesickness

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on August 5, 2022

On-campus therapy dog stress-reduction programs and other approaches can help college students adjust to campus life.

On-campus therapy dog stress-reduction programs and other approaches can help college students adjust to campus life.

Education

Give Students a Chance To Be Important in Some Way

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on July 10, 2022

High school students have a lot to say about how to foster kindness in school and their insights can inform how teachers and school administrators think about kindness.

High school students have a lot to say about how to foster kindness in school and their insights can inform how teachers and school administrators think about kindness.

Stress

Therapy Dogs Provide Virtual Comfort

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on April 30, 2022

Can't access on-campus therapy dog sessions? Virtual canine comfort can support students' stress reduction and well-being.

Can't access on-campus therapy dog sessions? Virtual canine comfort can support students' stress reduction and well-being.

Education

Who You Are Kind to Matters

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on March 24, 2022

Always kind to the same people? Add unknown or unfamiliar others to your kindness recipient list.

Always kind to the same people? Add unknown or unfamiliar others to your kindness recipient list.

Education

Lessons Learned From a 3-Legged Rescue Mutt

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on January 23, 2022

Struggling to muster the courage to face the day? Let this example of a three-legged street dog inspire you to put your best foot forward.

Struggling to muster the courage to face the day? Let this example of a three-legged street dog inspire you to put your best foot forward.

Education

Be Kind, But Do It Quietly

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on December 17, 2021

Want to be kind to others? Consider doing it quietly.

Want to be kind to others? Consider doing it quietly.

Stress

Kindness on Campus: Inviting College Students to Be Kind

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on November 12, 2021

Being a college student can be stressful. Asking students to be kind as part of their coursework can bolster their well-being.

Being a college student can be stressful. Asking students to be kind as part of their coursework can bolster their well-being.

Stress

Cops and Therapy Canines: Wagging Tails Reduce Stress

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on October 23, 2021

Therapy dogs within a police detachment? New research explores the role of therapy dogs in reducing occupational stress.

Therapy dogs within a police detachment? New research explores the role of therapy dogs in reducing occupational stress.

Stress

Anxious about Returning to Campus? Therapy Dogs Can Help

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on August 15, 2021

Interacting with therapy dogs through touch reduces stress.

Interacting with therapy dogs through touch reduces stress.

Confidence

Interaction with Canines Builds Children's Confidence

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on June 12, 2021

Children can practice social-emotional skills with a therapy dog and then extend their practice in their broader community.

Children can practice social-emotional skills with a therapy dog and then extend their practice in their broader community.

Child Development

A Kid's Guide to Meeting a New Dog

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on May 1, 2021

Meeting a new dog can boost your child's confidence and social skills. A few simple steps optimize the interaction.

Meeting a new dog can boost your child's confidence and social skills. A few simple steps optimize the interaction.

Health

Kindness and Your Mental Health Workout Plan

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on April 14, 2021

Want to improve your mental health? Consider doing 3-to-5 kind acts each week.

Want to improve your mental health? Consider doing 3-to-5 kind acts each week.