When Emily Cochran, OTD, OTR, a 2025 graduate of Chatham University’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy program, studied the stress-reducing effects of animal-assisted interventions (AAI) in college students, her capstone project’s results were so positive that the university has decided to keep the program going strong. It all started in June 2024, when Cochran saw graduate students often struggling with the rigors of graduate programming — including withdrawing from friendships and relationships, a steep decline in social activities, and a dramatic rise in stress, anxiety, and loneliness, especially for students who had relocated. Concerned for her peers’ well-being, Cochran was inspired to seek solutions.  While exploring the potential of a therapy…