Canines, Kids, and Kindness

Child Development

Why Kindness Can Also Be an Absence of Action

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on April 30, 2025

"I don't laugh at people."

"I don't laugh at people."

Neurodiversity

How Therapy Dogs Can Support Neurodiverse College Students

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on March 12, 2025

College students who are neurodiverse face challenges as they adjust to campus life. A team is seeking to support these students through a therapy-dog program just for them.

College students who are neurodiverse face challenges as they adjust to campus life. A team is seeking to support these students through a therapy-dog program just for them.

Happiness

A Guaranteed Way to Get Students to Smile on Campus

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on January 22, 2025

The extent to which college students smile is a reflection of their well-being. Therapy dogs are an almost surefire way to generate more smiles on a campus.

The extent to which college students smile is a reflection of their well-being. Therapy dogs are an almost surefire way to generate more smiles on a campus.

Emotional Contagion

Therapy Dogs and Joy Contagion in the Classroom

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on November 25, 2024

Schools can be stressful places for both educators and students. In an effort to introduce joy contagion, a therapy dog visited a 2nd and 3rd-grade classroom.

Schools can be stressful places for both educators and students. In an effort to introduce joy contagion, a therapy dog visited a 2nd and 3rd-grade classroom.

Loneliness

Fighting Campus Loneliness

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on July 29, 2024

Leaving headphones and earbuds behind and taking advantage of community-building opportunities and well-being resources on campus can help college students thwart loneliness.

Leaving headphones and earbuds behind and taking advantage of community-building opportunities and well-being resources on campus can help college students thwart loneliness.

Therapy

Dogs on the Roster in College Classrooms

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on April 29, 2024

Personal Perspective: One way to enrich the learning environment for students and facilitate interactions is to introduce a well-trained therapy dog to the classroom.

Personal Perspective: One way to enrich the learning environment for students and facilitate interactions is to introduce a well-trained therapy dog to the classroom.

Education

Creating Class Climates That Reduce Student Defensiveness

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on February 24, 2024

Investing in building a positive classroom climate holds benefits for students and teachers alike.

Investing in building a positive classroom climate holds benefits for students and teachers alike.

Leadership

Students Need Connection as Well as Content

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on November 30, 2023

Teachers can employ proven low-cost, high-yield strategies to decrease class disruption and build stronger rapport with students.

Teachers can employ proven low-cost, high-yield strategies to decrease class disruption and build stronger rapport with students.

Therapy

Feeling Lonely on a Crowded Campus? Therapy Dogs Can Help

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on September 30, 2023

"As much as I miss my parents, I miss my dog more."

"As much as I miss my parents, I miss my dog more."

Animal Behavior

Therapy Dogs: The Politicians of Working Dogs

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on July 28, 2023

Therapy dogs are the politicians of working dogs and can be found shaking paws with a variety of clients across a variety of different settings.

Therapy dogs are the politicians of working dogs and can be found shaking paws with a variety of clients across a variety of different settings.

Therapy

Therapy Dogs Are Intuitive: Allow Them to Work Intuitively

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on May 28, 2023

Therapy dogs are known to be intuitive; handlers are encouraged to allow their dog to act on their intuition.

Therapy dogs are known to be intuitive; handlers are encouraged to allow their dog to act on their intuition.

Therapy

Therapy Dogs Help Optimize College Student Mental Health

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on April 7, 2023

College students can be reluctant help-seekers and underutilize on-campus resources. Dog therapy programs to reduce student stress provide an easy-to-access option.

College students can be reluctant help-seekers and underutilize on-campus resources. Dog therapy programs to reduce student stress provide an easy-to-access option.

Therapy

Therapy Dogs Can Unite College Students and Seniors

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on February 14, 2023

Therapy dogs can serve as social catalysts, bringing students and seniors together.

Therapy dogs can serve as social catalysts, bringing students and seniors together.

Therapy

The Proliferation and Appeal of On-Campus Therapy Dog Programs

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on January 12, 2023

Providing access to therapy dogs is a low-cost and low-barrier way to help college students reduce stress and anxiety.

Providing access to therapy dogs is a low-cost and low-barrier way to help college students reduce stress and anxiety.

Stress

Who Makes a Good Therapy Dog?

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on November 9, 2022

Not all canines are well-suited to working as a therapy dog. Discover the key traits characterizing a strong therapy dog.

Not all canines are well-suited to working as a therapy dog. Discover the key traits characterizing a strong therapy dog.

Education

Perceptions of School Kindness Are Linked to Academic Engagement

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on October 21, 2022

Want to increase students' academic engagement? Consider how kind the school is perceived to be.

Want to increase students' academic engagement? Consider how kind the school is perceived to be.

Stress

Adapting to College: Strategies to Avoid Homesickness

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on August 5, 2022

On-campus therapy dog stress-reduction programs and other approaches can help college students adjust to campus life.

On-campus therapy dog stress-reduction programs and other approaches can help college students adjust to campus life.

Confidence

Give Students a Chance To Be Important in Some Way

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on July 10, 2022

High school students have a lot to say about how to foster kindness in school and their insights can inform how teachers and school administrators think about kindness.

High school students have a lot to say about how to foster kindness in school and their insights can inform how teachers and school administrators think about kindness.

Stress

Therapy Dogs Provide Virtual Comfort

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on April 30, 2022

Can't access on-campus therapy dog sessions? Virtual canine comfort can support students' stress reduction and well-being.

Can't access on-campus therapy dog sessions? Virtual canine comfort can support students' stress reduction and well-being.

Confidence

Who You Are Kind to Matters

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on March 24, 2022

Always kind to the same people? Add unknown or unfamiliar others to your kindness recipient list.

Always kind to the same people? Add unknown or unfamiliar others to your kindness recipient list.