ANNUAL EVENTS
Positively Impacting the Mental Wellness of Students, Faculty, and Staff through Pet Therapy
January
New Year, New You: Reducing Stress with Pet Therapy
Learning Objectives: Understand how pet therapy can reduce stress and improve focus during the transition back to campus.
Awareness Events: New Year’s Resolutions
Actions: Promote workshops on pet therapy as a tool for stress management.
February
Pet Therapy and the Power of Love
Learning Objectives: Explore how pet therapy can enhance feelings of love, connection, and companionship during Valentine’s Day.
Awareness Events: Valentine’s Day and Random Acts of Kindness Week
Actions: Promote workshops on pet therapy as a philanthropic act of love and kindness.
March
Managing Anxiety and Depression with Pet Therapy
Learning Objectives: Identify how pet therapy can alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, especially during exams.
Awareness Events: National Nutrition Month, Sleep Awareness week
Actions: Partner with campus counseling centers to offer pet therapy sessions focused on managing anxiety.
April
Stress Awareness and Pet Therapy
Learning Objectives: Understand the science of pet therapy in reducing stress during Stress Awareness Month.
Awareness Events: Stress Awareness Month, National Pet Day, National Volunteer Week
Actions: Organize a “De-stress with Pets” event leading to finals, featuring pet therapy.
May
Mental Health Awareness and the Healing Power of Pet Therapy
Learning Objectives: Explore the broader impact of pet therapy on mental health during Mental Health Month.
Awareness Events: Mental Health Awareness Month, National Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week
Actions: Collaborate with mental health organizations on campus to offer workshops and panels on the benefits of pet therapy
June
Military Self-Care with Pet Therapy
Learning Objectives: Encourage military students struggling with PTSD to use pet therapy as part of their self-care and their families.
Awareness Events: PTSD Awareness Month, National PTSD Awareness Day
Actions: Develop onlin content and webinars to military students focusing on self-care and pet therapy.
July
Pet Therapy and Minority Mental Health
Learning Objectives: Discuss the role of the pet therapy in minority mental health concerns.
Awareness Events: National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
Actions: Host virtual workshops and discussions around minority mental health, featuring pet therapy stories and testimonials
August
Back to School with Pet Therapy: Easing the Transition
Learning Objectives: Help students ease the transition back to school with pet therapy as a calming and grounding tool
Awareness Events: National Dog Day
Actions: Offer pet therapy sessions during orientation week, introducing new students to the benefits of pet therapy
September
Suicide Prevention and Pet Therapy
Learning Objectives: Highlight the role of pet therapy in providing emotional support during Suicide Prevention Month
Awareness Events: National Suicide Prevention Month, World Suicide Prevention Day
Actions: Partner with suicide prevention organizations to offer workshops and events featuring pet therapy
October
Pet Therapy and Emotional Wellness
Learning Objectives: Discuss how pet therapy contributes to overall emotional wellness during Emotional Wellness Month
Awareness Events: Emotional Wellness Month, National Depression Screening Day
Actions: Promote events and workshops that focus on emotional wellness using pet therapy as a key component
November
Gratitude and Pet Therapy Boosting Mental Health
Learning Objectives: Explore the connection between gratitude practices, pet therapy, and improved mental health
Awareness Events: National Gratitude Month, International Survivors of Suicide Loss
Actions: Organize gratitude-themed pet therapy sessions and encourage students to practice gratitude with the help of therapy animals
December
Pet Therapy for Holiday Stress and Loneliness
Learning Objectives: Addressing the challenges of holiday stress and loneliness with the comfort of pet therapy
Awareness Events: National Stress-free Holiday Month
Actions: Provide pet therapy sessions during finals week and before students leave for winter break to help manage holiday-related stress