Are you an international student adjusting to life away from home? Feeling overwhelmed by university pressures or missing the comfort of familiar faces?
You’re not alone, and at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University in Melbourne, a very special golden retriever is helping students find a sense of home and calm.
In the ever-evolving conversation around student well-being, universities worldwide are seeking innovative ways to support their students. At RMIT, one such initiative stands out: the presence of Ziggy, an on-campus, certified therapy dog who has become a comforting companion for students navigating the stress and pressures of university life.
(Picture of Ziggy with a toy at RMIT University. Photo Credit: Alejandra Gonzalez, 2024)
(Picture of Ziggy with a Bunny Hairband at RMIT University. Photo Credit: Alejandra Gonzalez, 2024)
(Picture of Ziggy with a Christmas Tree at RMIT University. Photo Credit: Alejandra Gonzalez, 2024)
Ziggy, a golden retriever, is part of RMIT’s therapy dog program, which aims to provide emotional support for students through interactions with trained animals. Her calming presence has become invaluable to many students, especially those dealing with anxiety and stress. For Alejandra Gonzalez, a second-year student at RMIT, Ziggy was more than just a dog. She was a lifeline during some of her toughest moments.
A Comforting Presence Amid Anxiety and Stress
Alejandra’s struggles with anxiety and stress were intensified during exam periods, as she faced the pressures of coursework, deadlines, and personal expectations. “I would get so anxious just thinking about exams. It felt like the walls were closing in,” she shared. She found herself needing something more than traditional therapy to cope with the overwhelming stress. That’s when she learned about Ziggy, part of RMIT’s initiative to support student well-being.
“At first, I thought, ‘How can a dog really help with anxiety?’” Alejandra recalled. “But when I met Ziggy, everything changed.”
Ziggy’s calming nature quickly won Alejandra over, and she soon realised how much her presence helped her manage her anxiety.
“Every time I went to see her, my anxiety levels would drop. It wasn’t magic, but it was as close as I’ve felt to feeling at ease during stressful times,” she said.
(Pictures of Ziggy with students of RMIT University. Picture Credit: Matt Coz, 2024)
(Pictures of Ziggy with a student of RMIT University. Picture Credit: Matt Coz, 2024)
(Pictures of Ziggy with getting a selfie clicked. Picture Credit: Matt Coz, 2024)
Therapy dogs like Ziggy aren’t just pets, they are specially trained to provide emotional support in ways that help reduce stress and anxiety. Ziggy, with her calm, friendly, and intuitive demeanor, made Alejandra feel less alone in her struggles. “It’s not just about petting her; it’s about the way she helps you feel less alone,” Alejandra explained.
The science behind this is well-documented: interacting with animals, particularly dogs, can reduce cortisol (a stress hormone) and increase oxytocin (the “feel-good” hormone). Alejandra experienced this firsthand. “Ziggy helped me manage my anxiety in a way that therapy sometimes couldn’t,” she added.
From Anxiety to Creativity:
Alejandra’s connection with Ziggy went beyond emotional relief, it also inspired a creative outlet. “I started drawing pictures of Ziggy. The way she calms me down, I wanted to capture that peace on paper,” she said.
Drawing Ziggy not only provided her with a therapeutic escape from stress but also helped her focus on something positive instead of her anxiety. “It was so soothing to lose myself in the process of creating,” Alejandra reflects.
(Drawings of Ziggy by Alejandra Gonzalez. Picture Credit: Alejandra Gonzalez, 2024)
(Drawings of Ziggy by Alejandra Gonzalez. Picture Credit: Alejandra Gonzalez, 2024)
This newfound creative outlet sparked a passion for art that Alejandra had not explored in years. “Ziggy became a source of inspiration for me. I didn’t expect it, but she really brought out my creative side,” she added. “Every time I felt overwhelmed, I’d grab my sketchbook and draw. It was like a reset button for my mind.”
A Bridge to Better Mental Health Support
Despite the clear benefits, the concept of therapy animals is still often met with skepticism. Some view therapy dogs as unnecessary or a luxury. Alejandra has faced this judgment herself. “When you bring up therapy animals, people can be dismissive, thinking it’s just for people who want attention or can’t handle their emotions,” she said. “But that’s not what it’s about. It’s not about being soft, it’s about real mental health struggles.”
Ziggy, like all therapy dogs, has undergone rigorous training to interact with people experiencing intense emotions. Alejandra is passionate about educating others on the value of therapy animals. “People need to understand that these dogs are trained to help people in specific ways. It’s not about having a dog because you like dogs, it’s about having a trained companion that can help you heal.”
The Value of Consistent Therapy Animal Support
At RMIT, Ziggy’s role in the therapy dog program is part of a larger effort to prioritise student mental health. Matt Cox, the Manager of Student Experience at RMIT, explains that therapy animals provide support that is both accessible and comforting for students. “Having Ziggy on campus offers something more approachable for students,” Cox said. “For some, it’s a bridge to traditional mental health resources.”
Cox highlights that therapy dogs like Ziggy aren’t just beneficial during high-stress periods like exams, they offer ongoing support. “Having a therapy dog like Ziggy here every day creates a stable environment,” Cox explained. “Students can bond with Ziggy regularly, not just during stressful times. It’s an ongoing relationship that becomes a source of stability.”
(Ziggy with a soft toy. Picture Credit: Alejandra Gonzalez, 2024)
The Power of Consistency: Beyond Pop-Up Events
Many universities hold occasional therapy dog events during exam weeks, but Cox emphasised the deeper, longer-term benefits of a permanent therapy dog presence.
“There’s a huge difference between a one-off event and having a dog here every day,” he said. “Students develop a relationship with Ziggy over time. They look for her. She becomes part of their campus life, like the familiar face you see at your favorite café or shop. That familiarity brings stability.”
The sustained presence of a dog like Ziggy allows students to engage at their own pace, building trust over weeks and months rather than being expected to open up during a brief event.
Alejandra, like many students, appreciates the consistent presence of Ziggy on campus. “Ziggy is a calm presence in the chaos of university life. She’s helped me regain control over my mental health during times when everything felt too much to handle.”
Therapy Dogs: A Model for Other Universities
Alejandra’s experience with Ziggy has been transformative. “Ziggy filled the gap of emotional support that I had been missing since I came to Australia. She became a comfort in a way I didn’t expect,” she said.
“It’s not just about saying, ‘Hey, therapy dogs are great.’ It’s about telling the human stories, how lives have been changed, how students have coped better, how a simple interaction with a dog has made a terrible day bearable,” Cox emphasised.
(Ziggy playing outdoors. Picture Credit: Matt Coz, 2024)
(Ziggy swimming. Picture Credit: Matt Coz, 2024)
“You have to connect with what universities are trying to achieve: supporting student well-being, improving retention, and creating an inclusive environment.”
RMIT’s therapy dog program with Ziggy at the forefront has proven to be a successful model for mental health support. Alejandra believes these programs should be implemented more widely at universities.
“I think therapy dogs should be mandatory at every university,” she stated. “It’s not just about feeling better for a moment; it’s about making mental health support accessible in a way that feels natural and comforting.”
(Picture of Ziggy with students of RMIT University. Picture Credit: Matt Coz, 2024)
The presence of therapy dogs at universities is not just an academic luxury; it’s a critical part of supporting students’ mental well-being. Alejandra’s experience is a powerful reminder that sometimes, the simplest solutions, like spending time with a calming dog, can make the most significant impact on mental health.
For students like Alejandra, Ziggy has become much more than just a dog, she’s a companion, a source of comfort, and an essential part of her journey toward better mental health at RMIT University.
As more universities adopt animal therapy programs, the hope is for students to experience the same level of support and a lifeline when they need it most.
As Cox said: “At the end of the day, it’s about making university a place where students feel seen, supported, and cared for, in every way possible.”
