EMU Today

YPSILANTI — Cuteness and comfort are “pawsitvely” the themes of October’s episode of “Enlighten U,” Eastern Michigan University’s mental health podcast for students. Tinker, EMU’s new facility dog, Tinker steals the show while the hosts and guests explain the benefits and differences of support, service, therapy, and facility pets.

A 2021 study by The Zebra, a resource for insurance comparisons, found that of 1,500 American respondents, 46.9% said owning a pet would improve their mental health. ScienceDaily also found that college students showed reduced cortisol levels – a stress hormone – after just 10 minutes of interaction with cats and dogs.

This month, “Enlighten U” delves into facility dogs and shows how effective animals can be at reducing stress, uplifting moods, and even helping with anxiety and depression.

Joining the discussion are resident mental health expert and assistant professor in EMU’s Department of Leadership and Counseling, Aesha Mustafa, Ph.D., and university archivist and library department head Alexis Braun Marks. Tinker took her seat in the middle of the table. 

Braun Marks shares her role as Tinker’s handler with Jennifer Fritz, dean of the College of Health and Human Services. Braun Marks discusses her bond with the dog, Tinker’s role on campus, and where students can visit her.

“She’s a total puppy. She loves to play with other dogs and go for walks,” Braun Marks said. “But as soon as she comes to campus and has her vest on, she knows she’s working.”

Mustafa, a self-proclaimed dog parent—as opposed to a dog owner—discusses how dogs like Tinker can help students, families, and individuals. She also reveals advancements in other aspects of animal therapy, such as equine therapy, and the creation of policies in some areas that prevent landlords from charging fees for service animals in apartments. Even she was not immune to Tinker's calming effect.

“Right now I feel so zen,” Mustafa said.

For students considering visiting Tinker on campus, Braun Marks gives a few recommendations. 

“Her job is to get love and pets,” Braun Marks said. “She is her own best advertisement.”

Future episodes of “Enlighten U” will address learning and developmental disabilities, adjustment to campus life, navigating the transition from high school to college, loneliness, and more.

For more information, please contact Lolita Cummings at lcummin2@emich.edu or Melissa Thrasher at mthrashe@emich.edu. To submit a topic idea or to be a guest, please contact the show directly at Enlighten_U@emich.edu. 

About “Enlighten U”
“Enlighten U” is an Eastern Michigan University-produced podcast for college students as they experience unique stressors, including academic pressures, personal growth, social challenges, and more. EMU executive director of media relations and social media Melissa Thrasher and EMU public relations professor Lolita Cummings serve as co-hosts. Each episode is released each month and welcomes a student or alum and a subject-matter professional. Episodes of “Enlighten U” address mental health topics like imposter syndrome, financial strain, grading anxiety, adjustment to campus life, social media harms, social justice, and more.
 

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, EMU is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves nearly 13,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.