Experiences and perceptions of the impacts of a dog training intervention on adolescent wellbeing

Background: There has been an increased focus on implementing programs equipping adolescents with skills to respond to adverse life events, alleviate psychological distress and enhance wellbeing. Aim: This two-phased mixed-methods study aimed to explore adolescent experiences and outcomes of a Dog Training Intervention (DTI) on adolescent wellbeing and resilience. Methods: Twenty-nine students (12–16 years) from four high schools participated in participated in an 8-week DTI program. All the students participated in a focus group in the last week of the DTI to share their experiences and perceptions of the DTI. Interview transcripts from the focus groups were analysed using inductive reflexive thematic analysis. Twenty two of these participants completed a pre- and post-intervention survey comprising demographic questions, the Engagement, Perseverance, Optimism, Connectedness Happiness measure (EPOCH) and the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). Results: Although no significant pre- to post-intervention changes were found on the EPOCH survey, the thematic analysis generated several themes reflecting students’ perceived impacts of the DTI, including enhanced wellbeing, resilience, transferrable skills, motivation to reengage with school and reconnect with themselves. Conclusions: This exploratory study indicates that DTI could assist adolescents to thrive and foster resilience within the high school curriculum. These preliminary findings need to be followed up with a larger sample to more comprehensively evaluate psychological outcomes of Dog Training Interventions for adolescents to support the ongoing implementation of such intervention programs to enhance adolescent wellbeing.