If you’re a dog owner, you know there is nothing sweeter than coming home after a long day at work and being greeted by a wiggly, furry bundle of love. Their wagging tail, unabashed excitement at seeing you and unconditional love can immediately bring a sense of calm and peace amidst racing thoughts, exhaustion, anxiety and stress. Dogs have been loyal companions and protectors to humans for centuries. Since World War I, they’ve also played a therapeutic role, initially helping disabled and blind soldiers returning from the war.
Therapy Dogs Are More Than Pets
Over time, dogs have proven highly effective in treating post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression, not just in veterans but also in the wider population. Studies have shown that short-term, unstructured interactions with a therapy dog can significantly reduce anxiety and distress levels. This same study showed similar effects on children. Children interacting with a pet dog or a therapy dog during a stressful task exhibited lower stress and a more positive affect compared to when alone, or with a parent or stuffed dog. It’s no wonder then that schools have begun to see the benefits of using therapy dogs for mental health challenges seen in K-12 students.
Mental health challenges among students have continued to rise, with 42% of adolescents reporting feelings of sadness and hopelessness in 2021 – up 28% since 2011. The former US Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy issued two advisories on the youth mental health crisis, one in 2021 and again in 2023. As schools become the natural and necessary vessel for delivering mental health services to students, therapy dogs can serve as a welcome addition and an effective tool in the delivery of a mental health framework.
Therapy dogs are much more than pets, they are animals trained in interactions that provide specific emotional support and comfort to students. But how exactly do dogs help students with mental health challenges? How are they trained? And how do schools integrate therapy dogs into a mental health care framework? This article will explore the process and provide practical tips for districts considering launching a therapy dog program in their schools.
Understanding Therapy Dogs: Definitions and Distinctions
Therapy dogs, service dogs and emotional support animals each serve a unique purpose. They all enhance overall well-being for patients, but they function differently. Key distinctions include:
Service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities e.g., seeing eye dogs that assist people who are blind navigate the tasks of daily life such as moving around their space, walking outside, etc.
Emotional Support dogs offer companionship and support to individuals with emotional or psychiatric conditions and require a prescription from a health provider.
Therapy dogs provide comfort in group settings and are trained for interactions.
Recognizing the difference is critical for using therapy dogs in schools. They provide support tailored to each environment’s needs and can make a tremendous difference in the climate of educational spaces.
Therapy Dogs in Schools
Therapy dogs offer several benefits for mental health in students. They can reduce stress, ease anxiety and have a calming effect on children. The stress of a school day, for example, can help be alleviated through the use of therapy dog services. According to a study in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, “In these short-term stressful contexts, a dog may serve as both a comforting, nonjudgmental presence and a positive tactile and sensory distraction. Interacting with a dog might also help reduce anxiety and distress by aiding in emotion regulation during stressful situations.” Therapy dogs can also provide valuable support for students undergoing long-term mental health care. “During animal-assisted therapy, the presence of a dog during psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can help reduce self-reported anxiety and distress in patients who have experienced trauma, enhancing the effectiveness of the therapeutic process.”
Studies show that interacting with a dog – either through petting or play – can naturally alter a student’s chemistry either by lowering cortisol levels, the hormone linked to stress or enhancing the production of serotonin and dopamine, two chemicals needed for feelings of happiness and tranquility.
Therapy dogs can also help ease symptoms of depression. Their unconditional love and affection can reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness in students. Additionally, they are known to enhance focus, helping students feel more grounded and relaxed. This improved focus can lead to better concentration and even a boost in academic performance.
Therapy Dogs Improve Attendance and Engagement
Therapy dogs have been shown to boost school attendance and increase engagement in students. According to Township School District in New Egypt, NJ, PTEA President Rebecca Semko, “[Therapy dog] Kesey helps to bring so much joy to the Warriors of New Egypt,” Semko says. “To watch their faces light up when they hear his collar jingle in the hallway is so amazing. Both staff and students in New Egypt are so lucky to have our Kesey.”
Dogs bring joy to any environment, and the positive energy radiated by therapy dogs makes learning spaces more dynamic. Dogs are fun, and the sheer “novelty” of having a dog in spaces where animals are not typically allowed can uplift the spirits of children and educators. Additionally, dogs are connectors, giving children and educators a sense of camaraderie and shared positive feelings.
Therapy Dogs Can Improve Academic Performance and Concentration
Bringing a therapy dog into a classroom can improve academic performance. When stress levels decrease, students may find it easier to concentrate and focus on their work. Additionally, an increased ability to focus can lead to better retention and thus, better academic performance. Students also feel supported emotionally by educators when a dog is present. “A dog is here, in school?” The sheer novelty of it helps students know their teachers and administrators care, that their safety and happiness at school matters.
Therapy Dogs and Neurodivergent Students
Therapy dogs provide unique support for neurodivergent students. They can help neurodivergent students and those with other special needs develop social skills by encouraging interaction and verbal engagement. Students learn empathy and compassion when interacting with a dog. In some programs, students might learn responsibility in caring for a dog – by refilling the dogs water bowl or putting on their working vest – which leads to enhanced social growth and personal development. Neurodivergent students can observe the overt behaviors of dogs, such as wagging their tails when happy or putting their ears back when anxious, to better understand the importance of reading social cues in people.
Therapy Dogs in Crisis and Trauma-Informed Care
A dog’s non-judgmental presence can assist in stabilizing a student in crisis. Their calming nature helps students experiencing emotional dysregulation reduce stress and anxiety, as dogs provide a natural ‘reset’ during moments of crisis. Dogs also play a crucial role in trauma-informed care. By fostering trust, therapy dogs provide a supportive space for students to heal. The sweet and nurturing heart of a dog supports young students in expressing their real feelings to their teachers and guidance counselors, which is fundamentally necessary for a student to heal.
In a landmark 2024 study title “There’s a connection that is just beyond words”: A Qualitative Study of Therapy Dogs in a Child Trauma Assessment Center” researchers explored clinicians’ perceptions of the impact of therapy dogs while taking trauma assessments of children. The study found that therapy dogs assist clinicians in four fundamental areas when working with children: building rapport, promoting regulation of emotions, providing respite or relief, and restoring emotional and physical balance. In one interview, a clinician offered their professional thoughts about their therapy dogs, Oreo and Sunny: “A lot of kids can’t be present, but when a dog is there, there’s just something. He grounds them in a way that sometimes we humans can’t. You can see it in their face. . . So many of our kids have experiences of pets and sometimes those are the only safe relationships they’ve ever experienced. So having Oreo and Sunny there like wakes them back up to that capacity.”
Therapy Dogs Provide Physiological Benefits Too
Dogs can literally make a person feel better physically. Spending time with animals has a positive effect on the health of the heart and can lower blood pressure as well as positively affect heart rates.
Researchers have found that by spending time with dogs the body releases oxytocin, more commonly known as the “love hormone” which produces our feelings of happiness and connection to others.
Therapy Dogs in Real Life: Canine Case Studies
There are a multitude of case studies showing the success of therapy dogs on the mental health of students when integrated into a mental health continuum in a school setting. For example, in Bayonne, New Jersey, the Bayonne Public School District brought in Mabel, a golden retriever mix, and Ernie, a goldendoodle to help students build confidence and reduce stress.
Danielle Travelino, one of the third-grade teachers at Mary J. Donohue School, stated “The stress students face today is very different from what we experienced in our youth. It’s heartbreaking, and we must find ways to help our students feel safe and comfortable.” She went on to say, “We are thrilled with the success of our therapy dog program so far and are exploring additional ways to support students in managing their mental health. This initiative reflects our dedication to improving the well-being of students in the Bayonne School District.”
Another case study in southern New Jersey at Plumsted Township School District, reflected on a therapy dog brought in for a student diagnosed with selective mutism, an anxiety disorder where a person doesn’t communicate in certain environments or specific social situations. Thomas Chemris, a student assistance coordinator in Plumsted shared, “At first, the student would only speak to the dog, but in short order acclimated to normalized communication. School policy and board approval followed and Plumsted has had a canine staff member ever since. What began as an intervention for a special needs student has become incorporated within the school culture.”
Therapy Dog Training and Certification
As a prerequisite to working with students, therapy dogs must go through specialized training which prepares them for specific environments, since not all dogs are suited for identical settings. Some therapy dogs thrive in hospitals, where they can provide one-on-one interaction with patients in a calm and quiet environment. Other dogs excel in schools, where they can easily handle the excitement of up to 10 children clamoring to engage with them all at once.
A therapy dog that has completed the certification process ensures the animal is well-behaved, calm, and fully capable of interacting safely with children before settling into a school setting.
Handlers are also very important to the success of a therapy dog program.
Just like their canine counterparts, handlers undergo training and assessment as they are responsible for guiding interactions and ensuring the safety of both children and animals. It is the coordination between the three – dog, handler and school staff – that contributes to a successful dog therapy program.
Tips for Integrating a Therapy Dog Program into Your School
Bringing a dog therapy program into a school is no easy feat and requires careful planning. A program should be well-structured with clear goals and objectives to have the highest chance of success. When introducing a dog therapy program into your school or district, here are the steps you should take:
– Collaborate with a local dog therapy organization. An accredited dog therapy organization will have the experience needed to integrate therapy animals effectively into your school system. It will also ensure dogs are trained and certified.
– Develop a Clear Policy. Establish clear conduct policies and guidelines to ensure the safety of the animals, students, and your staff.
– Train School Staff. Provide training for all school staff members, not just those interacting with the dogs.
– Parental/Caregiver Engagement. Inform and include parents and caregivers in the program. Schools should send home a permission slip for all parents and caregivers to sign to ensure compliance and make alternate arrangements for students wishing not to participate or who have allergies.
– Consult with legal experts. It is essential to ensure that the presence of therapy dogs in your school is compliant with all local laws and regulations prior to starting any therapy dog program.
– Designate dog zones. Not every student can interact with a dog. Schools need to be mindful of student allergies and map out locations in the school building where dog therapy can take place.
Evaluations: The Importance of Data in Therapy Dog Programs
Like any evidence-based mental health program, therapy dog programs need to be measured to determine their effectiveness. By assigning goals and understanding the outcomes, schools can make informed decisions about their specific dog therapy program. Are students responding well to the program? Is the dog contributing positively to the school environment? Evaluating the program’s effectiveness is essential for its development. Measuring outcomes to demonstrate improvements in student well-being not only supports the program’s sustainability but also creates opportunities for expansion into additional school buildings.
Sources of Funding for A Therapy Dog Program in Your School
Implementing a therapy dog program requires funding. Here are several options to explore to fund a program in your school district:
Consider exploring grants – Counselors can apply for grants to fund their therapy dog program. Certain educational grants such as the Pets in The Classroom provide funding specifically for therapy dog programs.
Get Ready to Fundraise – School communities can raise funds through traditional fundraising efforts such as a school-sponsored car wash, selling cookies, hosting a dinner or event with tricky trays, auctions, etc. and allocate the funds for their dog therapy program.
Reach out to a Local Business –Local businesses might be interested in sponsoring a therapy dog program in your district.
The Far-Reaching Benefits of Therapy Dogs in Schools
Evidence-based research highlights the clear benefits of dog therapy on student well-being, which explains the rapid growth of this field. Just as ‘dogs are a man’s best friend,’ they are also a student’s best friend, promoting positive mental health in schools and encouraging students to engage and communicate better with humans. As schools explore ways to enhance their mental health programs and services, therapy dogs should be a top consideration, knowing their presence can support students emotionally, socially, and academically.
FAQs
Are therapy dogs effective in schools?
Yes, therapy dogs are effective in schools. Studies have shown that a therapy dog program can contribute to lower stress levels, decreased depression, increased engagement and improved academic performance in students.
Can a school deny a therapy dog?
Therapy dogs are not the same as service dogs. Service animals perform specific tasks for people with disabilities and are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Therefore, a school can potentially deny a request for a therapy dog program or an emotional support animal for a specific student. However, as more schools see the benefits of therapy dog programs including enhanced student well-being and increased engagement, the more such programs will continue to grow and thrive in the US.
How are therapy dogs used in schools?
Therapy dogs are used in schools to provide comfort to students either in a group setting or one-on-one. By petting and interacting with a therapy dog, students find relief from stress, experience increased feelings of safety and care in a school environment and have more positive interactions in the classroom.
How many schools in the US have therapy dogs?
The US is home to over 50,000 therapy dogs in hospitals and schools. While it is difficult to pinpoint exactly how many K-12 schools utilize therapy dogs, they are a growing trend with both schools and universities. One 2017 study noted that 62% of 150 universities surveyed had implemented a dog therapy program to support the mental health of their students.
About Effective School Solutions
Effective School Solutions provides in-person mental health and behavioral support programs to help students, particularly the 3%–5% of students with the highest intensive needs, reach their full potential. We deliver in-person, evidence-based, comprehensive clinical programming directly within K-12 schools. Through our programs, we remove barriers to care and provide equitable access to mental health treatment so every student can thrive emotionally, academically and contribute positively to your school environment.
Are you considering enhancing or implementing mental health services in your district? Effective School Solutions offers comprehensive mental health programs that can be tailored to your school’s unique needs. Contact us today to learn how we can help your school community thrive.
