We are excited to share that the Building Academic Retention through K9s (B.A.R.K.) program has received funding from the Critical Research Equipment & Tools (CRET) Program. This funding will help enhance B.A.R.K.’s research capabilities, and support the well-being of university students.
Since 2012, B.A.R.K. has been a leader in exploring the benefits of therapy dogs on student mental health. Through rigorous studies, including randomized control trials and long-term intervention research, B.A.R.K. has collected data from thousands of students, shaping how therapy dogs are integrated into academic settings to reduce loneliness, decrease homesickness, and improve overall well-being.
The funding will enable the program to acquire essential equipment that will further improve research and support community initiatives. This includes mobile lab equipment for maximizing reach across campus and community partners, and specialized canine safety equipment to ensure the health and comfort of the therapy dogs involved in our studies
This funding is not only vital to our continued success at UBCO but also allows the program to expand their research partnerships with community organizations, such as the RCMP. These partnerships will enable the program to explore new avenues in the field of human-animal interactions, including studies focused on neurodivergent students, supporting students struggling with addiction, and refining interventions to reduce loneliness in first-year undergraduates.
B.A.R.K. has long been a collaborative effort, with Dr. Binfet co-authoring 32 published articles with students on the effects of therapy dogs on well-being. With the support of this new funding, the team will continue to provide valuable research training to undergraduate and graduate students, offering hands-on experience in a field with few equivalents in Canada.