Animal-Assisted Activities with Alpacas May Facilitate a Reduction in Anxiety-Related Symptoms Among College Students
Faculty Advisor Name
Dr. Jeanne Wenos
Department
Department of Health Professions
Description
Background
While extensive research has been conducted on the benefits of participating in animal assisted activities (AAA) with various animals, little to no published research has been conducted on the potential impact of alpacas in such a role. The present study investigated whether AAA with alpacas may be suitable for reducing anxiety-related symptoms in college students. Occupational therapists (OTs) are licensed healthcare professionals who can intervene with individuals who have anxiety using different therapeutic activities. This was a unique and important topic to research, as data collected could offer evidence on how AAA with alpacas would be an effective therapeutic activity that could be applied to occupational therapy (OT) practice.
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether animal assisted activities (AAA) with alpacas reduced anxiety-related symptoms among college students experiencing stress.
Methods
Convenience sampling was used to recruit 17 undergraduate college students from a university in Virginia. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was utilized to identify and recruit individuals with the most significant levels of self-reported stress. The research study was conducted at an alpaca farm in Virginia where participants engaged one-on-one with an alpaca. Participants were divided into two groups who participated on separate days. Education on how to safely interact with and handle an alpaca was given to all participants in preparation for walking with the alpaca on a lead line. Participants pet their alpaca and led them down to a nearby river and back, over the course of approximately one hour. The State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) was administered to participants as part of both a pre- and post-walk survey to collect cross sectional data on each participant’s present level of anxiety.
Results
Analysis of the combined SAI pre- and post-walk scores displayed results that included but were not limited to, a 54% gain in feeling calm, a 47% gain in feeling secure, a 65% reduction in feeling tense, and a 35% reduction in feeling strained. Qualitative data was collected through survey comments from the participants. Fieldnotes encompassing both verbal quotes and observations were documented by the researchers throughout the duration of the study. Predetermined themes for qualitative data included Environment, Physical Exertion, and Sensory Input from the Alpaca. The data was then coded for emerging themes, some of which added richness to the predetermined themes. The emerging themes that expanded on the predetermined themes included the following: interacting, close proximity, mindfulness, and exercise as a nontraditional form of therapy. Other emerging themes included: general positivity/enthusiasm, affection, encouragement, personification, and emotion/emotional components.
Conclusions
Previous research investigated the therapeutic benefits of AAA on stress and anxiety among college students. The present study expanded on this research, specifically examining AAA with alpacas. The results indicated that AAA with alpacas may reduce anxiety among college students experiencing stress, along with having other therapeutic benefits, as indicated by qualitative data and identified themes. Based on the evidence, AAA with alpacas may be a beneficial therapeutic activity that could be used in OT practice.
Animal-Assisted Activities with Alpacas May Facilitate a Reduction in Anxiety-Related Symptoms Among College Students
Background
While extensive research has been conducted on the benefits of participating in animal assisted activities (AAA) with various animals, little to no published research has been conducted on the potential impact of alpacas in such a role. The present study investigated whether AAA with alpacas may be suitable for reducing anxiety-related symptoms in college students. Occupational therapists (OTs) are licensed healthcare professionals who can intervene with individuals who have anxiety using different therapeutic activities. This was a unique and important topic to research, as data collected could offer evidence on how AAA with alpacas would be an effective therapeutic activity that could be applied to occupational therapy (OT) practice.
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether animal assisted activities (AAA) with alpacas reduced anxiety-related symptoms among college students experiencing stress.
Methods
Convenience sampling was used to recruit 17 undergraduate college students from a university in Virginia. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was utilized to identify and recruit individuals with the most significant levels of self-reported stress. The research study was conducted at an alpaca farm in Virginia where participants engaged one-on-one with an alpaca. Participants were divided into two groups who participated on separate days. Education on how to safely interact with and handle an alpaca was given to all participants in preparation for walking with the alpaca on a lead line. Participants pet their alpaca and led them down to a nearby river and back, over the course of approximately one hour. The State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) was administered to participants as part of both a pre- and post-walk survey to collect cross sectional data on each participant’s present level of anxiety.
Results
Analysis of the combined SAI pre- and post-walk scores displayed results that included but were not limited to, a 54% gain in feeling calm, a 47% gain in feeling secure, a 65% reduction in feeling tense, and a 35% reduction in feeling strained. Qualitative data was collected through survey comments from the participants. Fieldnotes encompassing both verbal quotes and observations were documented by the researchers throughout the duration of the study. Predetermined themes for qualitative data included Environment, Physical Exertion, and Sensory Input from the Alpaca. The data was then coded for emerging themes, some of which added richness to the predetermined themes. The emerging themes that expanded on the predetermined themes included the following: interacting, close proximity, mindfulness, and exercise as a nontraditional form of therapy. Other emerging themes included: general positivity/enthusiasm, affection, encouragement, personification, and emotion/emotional components.
Conclusions
Previous research investigated the therapeutic benefits of AAA on stress and anxiety among college students. The present study expanded on this research, specifically examining AAA with alpacas. The results indicated that AAA with alpacas may reduce anxiety among college students experiencing stress, along with having other therapeutic benefits, as indicated by qualitative data and identified themes. Based on the evidence, AAA with alpacas may be a beneficial therapeutic activity that could be used in OT practice.
