The Paws That Refresh: The Power of Therapy Dogs on Campus and in Care
If you have spent time in University of Kentucky College of Nursing (UK CON), you may have noticed therapy dogs visiting students, faculty, and staff during the day. While these visits are feel-good and exciting occasions, they also play a vital role in supporting mental health and well-being in high-stress environments.
Being a nursing student, nurse educator, and a nurse is demanding. In literature, it has shown that nurses experience higher levels of work-related stress than other healthcare professionals, which can contribute to burnout, anxiety, and compassion fatigue (Kubanick and Scharfman, 2025). Therefore, finding effective and healthy coping skills to manage stress is essential for nurses.
Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) provide benefits through companionship and emotional connection. Studies have shown that even short interactions with therapy dogs can help reduce stress, enhance mood, and increase attention span. It has shown that nurses who spent brief time with a therapy dog reported feeling calmer and more refreshed before returning to patient care (Kubanick and Scharfman, 2025).
These connections with therapy dogs can make a meaningful difference. Taking a few minutes to step away from being a nurse to interact with an emotional support animal can help individuals reset and recharge.
The UK College of Nursing had a beloved emotional support dog, Benny, for several years until he passed in early 2026. Benny belonged to Dr. Walmsley but was family to all. College of Nursing Staff member, Cindy Butterfield, shares:
“Many of you came to know Benny as a quiet, familiar presence in the College of Nursing — a small dog with a very big heart who seemed to have a gift for finding people when they most needed a moment of comfort.
Benny came into Dr. Walmsley’s life in a way that feels almost like a story meant to be told. After being found abandoned on a stormy night, he was given a home, a name, and a family — and from that moment forward, he became Dr. Walmsley’s constant companion, going wherever she went and bringing his quiet steadiness into every space he entered. I believe I speak for so many when I say Thank you, Dr. Walmsley, for sharing this little puppy with us.
At the College of Nursing, Benny wasn’t just Dr. Walmsley’s dog — he became part of our rhythm. He sat in on meetings, wandered through offices and classrooms, and had a way of easing stress, inviting conversation, and reminding students of the pets waiting for them back home. In quiet moments between classes or meetings, Benny offered a soft place to land.
Benny reminded us that sometimes the greatest gifts come on four small paws. He lived a good life, and in doing so, he made my life, and the lives of so many others, better.”
As shared on his remembrance page, students and staff alike were supported and comforted by Benny’s presence. They share how he melted their hearts with his turned-out paws and big Benny eyes. He made them feel seen and comforted through difficulty and change, despite whether they were interacting with him for the first time or had known him for years. His death was a huge loss for the college.
Programs like the therapy dog visits at UK CON and at the hospital remind us that caring for the well-being of healthcare professionals is just as important as caring for patients. Promoting self-care and stress management is important.
So the next time a therapy dog visits your college or the hospital, consider stopping by. A few minutes of dog therapy might be the perfect way to recharge during a busy day.
Citation:
Kubanick, V. A. E., & Scharfman, J. Z. (2025). Nurses’ Best Friend? The Lived Experiences of Nurses Who Utilized Dog Therapy in the Workplace. Nursing Reports, 15(7), 246.