New Jersey Department of Health: Boosting Public Health Employee Wellness Through Dog Therapy

Overview

Recognizing the importance of the New Jersey Department of Health's staff wellbeing and mental health, dog therapy was made available to 5,600 employees. Through Project Willow, colleagues have had the opportunity to de-stress, connect in person, interact with therapy dogs, and learn about health and wellness.

Challenge

Public health workers who spent more time working on COVID-19 activities were more likely to report symptoms of mental health conditions than other public health workers. In March 2022, a CDC survey found that 48% of U.S. public health workers experienced symptoms of depression, anxiety, or PTSD.1 The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) recognized that the state's public health workforce also experienced unprecedented levels of stress, anxiety, and exhaustion throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The long-term consequences of poor mental health and employee burn-out was a concern. According to the 2021 Public Health Workforce Interest and Needs (PH WINS) survey, nearly a third (32%) of the public health workforce said they are considering leaving their organization in the next year.2

With funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities Among Populations at High-Risk and Underserved, Including Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations and Rural Communities grant, NJDOH implemented a program called Project Willow, which places certified therapy dogs at 12 designated NJDOH sites to foster a "positive, supportive, and comfortable" work environment for employees.3

Solution

Research shows that therapy dogs can improve several dimensions of wellbeing, including employee relations, productivity, engagement, and retention (Wilkin, 20164; Habri, 20225). Project Willow was the first of its kind for NJDOH, and it significantly changed the physical environment and the socio-emotional dynamics within the state's public health workspace.

The initiative was named after an unofficial NJDOH staff member, Willow, a 10-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier who works as a therapy dog. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Willow helped staff cope with the challenge of protecting and improving New Jersey's public health work. NJDOH used funding from the CDC Health Disparities Grant to integrate more therapy dogs into employee wellness programs at state and local health departments in New Jersey. Twice a month, Project Willow brings up to four therapy dogs per session to NJDOH sites. Approximately 5,600 employees, including staff at four psychiatric hospitals, benefit from the program.

Impact

Through Project Willow, employees have had the opportunity to de-stress, meet colleagues in person, interact with therapy dogs, and learn about health and wellness. A program survey reported that 95% of employees feel less stressed and happier, 97% feel their morale improved, and 88% look forward to coming to work when therapy dogs are visiting.

According to a participant, "This is a great way to uplift employee spirits and encourage a positive work environment." Through this non-traditional employee wellness program, the New Jersey Department of Health increased social support for employees, enhanced staff's mental and physical health, and boosted employee productivity. Through CDC's Public Health Infrastructure Grant, Project Willow is continuing and will help facilitate retention of New Jersey's public health workforce.