Theses and Dissertations

Advisor

Nicodemus, Molly C.

Committee Member

Cavinder, Clay A.

Committee Member

Lemley, Caleb O.

Committee Member

Holtcamp, Katie A.

Date of Degree

12-12-2025

Original embargo terms

Visible MSU Only 1 year

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Campus Access Only

Major

Agriculture

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Department

Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences

Abstract

As college administrators look for solutions to the mental health crisis facing campuses, alternative methods, such as equine-assisted intervention (EAI), have grown in popularity. While a review of literature found abundant evidence for animal-assisted intervention programs for college students, research on the role of EAI on college student mental health is limited. Therefore, this study targeted college students participating in a one-day equine wellness event. Saliva samples were taken for cortisol and neurotransmitter concentrations from both horse (n = 7) and human (n = 14). Students wore heart rate monitors throughout the event and completed a survey to measure stress. Heart rate reached aerobic threshold. Stress levels (P = 0.0001) and emotional state (P = 0.003) improved. A positive correlation between human and horse serotonin post-EAI (P = 0.05) was observed. These results indicate that an on-campus EAI program would be beneficial to the mental health of college students.

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