Therapy Dogs to Visit HSE University

Therapy dogs will be available for HSE students at the HSE building on Khitrovka and Dubki Dormitory to help relieve stress before their exams.

The Higher School of Economics and the National Association of United Animal-Assisted Therapists invite you to take part in a ‘Hug a Friend’ session of canistherapy on Thursday, June 20 at 17:00 in the courtyard of the Dubki Dormitory. On Friday, June 21, the second session of canistherapy will be held in the courtyard of the HSE building on Khitrovka (4 Khitrovsky Pereulok, Building 10) at 12:00.

During the session you’ll communicate with therapy dogs specially trained to interact with people. There will be a special area, where students will be able to pet, hug and play with the dogs, make crafts from wool and take pictures.

Canistherapy is a method of psychotherapy and rehabilitation aimed at improving the psycho-emotional state of people through communication with specially selected and trained dogs.

Dogs in canistherapy:

• help people deal with a crisis or stress and cope with feelings of loneliness, fear, despair and other negative emotions;
• help people feel more at ease socially;
• can lift a person’s spirits due to the fact that the fur and warmth of their bodies are beneficial to tactile receptors and communication with dogs calms and relaxes;can inspire and motivate people;
• evoke a sense of calm, focus your attention, and reduce agitation and aggression levels.

The event is held by canistherapists, members of the National Association of United Animal-Assisted Therapists working with pets of different breeds. All dogs participating in the event have the necessary documentation confirming their health.

June 18, 2019