Daniel Allen, from Keele University, UK, has been awarded £9,990.40 to study the human-animal bond and mental health in relation to young adults transitioning to campus living.

This is one of six pump priming grants that were awarded from Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) 2022 funding round.

Abstract:

No pets! Young people’s transitions to campus living and the importance of the human-animal bond for mental health and wellbeing.

It has been well documented that there is a mental health crisis among university students in the UK. However, there has been significantly less progress in addressing this issue. This project will consider how interaction with companion animals can provide a pathway for improving student mental health and wellbeing, using Keele University as a case study.