Universität zu Köln

Erren, Thomas C. ORCID: 0000-0002-7110-1031, Glenewinkel, Florian ORCID: 0009-0009-2394-0031, Wild, Ursula ORCID: 0000-0001-6244-0093, Wallraff, Jonas ORCID: 0000-0002-9584-0277 and Lewis, Philip ORCID: 0000-0002-5881-6032 (2025). Byron’s bear and dwarf rabbits in the classroom: a review of animals against academic stress. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 12. pp. 1-9. Frontiers Media. ISSN 2297-1769

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Abstract

[Artikel-Nr.: 1693505] Background: Coping strategies for academic stress at different stages of human development are important. We address the hypothesis that human-animal interactions (HAI) in both non-therapy and therapy situations can help adults, adolescents and children cope with academic stress in universities and schools. We point to Lord Byron’s “pet” bear in the 19th century and to media reports of pets on the high-pressure academic campuses of Oxford and Cambridge as historical and current examples. Methods: We review scientific literature concerning HAI and stress in university settings (exemplified via narrative information) and in the pre-university school environment (explored via systematic information). Media reports from Oxbridge underline the popularity of HAI. Results: A pilot search returned n = 4 recent reviews and meta-analyses of studies from university settings that covered mental, cognitive, and physiological health outcomes. The synthesis of these studies suggests that HAI may have benefits for stress and anxiety with the optimal duration and frequency of HAI remaining open. Studies from pre-university settings also suggest a possible benefit in terms of reducing anxiety and salivary cortisol as an indicator of stress, but there are only a few studies on this topic ( n = 3). Conclusion: There is potential for improved mental health outcomes through HAI in academic environments, but more research is needed to establish best practices.

Item Type:	Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Erren, Thomas C. UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7110-1031 UNSPECIFIED Glenewinkel, Florian UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2394-0031 UNSPECIFIED Wild, Ursula UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6244-0093 UNSPECIFIED Wallraff, Jonas UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9584-0277 UNSPECIFIED Lewis, Philip UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5881-6032 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-812234
Identification Number:	10.3389/fvets.2025.1693505
Journal or Publication Title:	Frontiers in Veterinary Science
Volume:	12
Page Range:	pp. 1-9
Number of Pages:	9
Date:	17 December 2025
Publisher:	Frontiers Media
ISSN:	2297-1769
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine
Divisions:	Faculty of Medicine > Arbeitsmedizin > Institut und Poliklinik für Arbeitsmedizin, Umweltmedizin und Präventionsforschung
Subjects:	Medical sciences Medicine
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language support animals ; pets ; human-animal interactions ; school ; university ; academia ; academic stress English
['eprint_fieldname_oa_funders' not defined]:	Publikationsfonds UzK
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/81223