SRU group conducts therapy dog workshop at PAPRS conference

May 9, 2019

A faculty-student research team from Slippery Rock University recently conducted a workshop at the Pennsylvania Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services' Annual Conference in State College.

Yvonne Eaton-Stull, assistant professor of public health and social work; Malayna Rocca, a senior social work major from Charleroi; Laurlyn Smith, the psychiatric rehabilitation services director from the Human Services Center in New Castle; and "Chevy," Eaton-Stull's lab/beagle therapy dog, conducted a workshop titled, "Enhancing psychiatric rehabilitation services through canine cuddles and community partnerships."

The workshop was attended by practitioners throughout the state who are interested in using animal-assisted intervention at their agencies. The team from SRU demonstrated strategies using therapy dogs in group settings to address stress management, coping, grief and social skills.