Therapy Dogs in Schools? Why We Embrace Emotional Support
Discover the impact of therapy dogs in schools. Learn how animal-assisted interventions improve mental health and academic performance.
Written by Tess Pacetti ‘26
St. Agnes Academy supports and encourages mental health awareness for all of its faculty, staff, and student population within the school setting.
The school and its students adhere to the mission statement of leading a joyful, optimistic, and productive lifestyle supported by healthy mental health programs aimed at improving daily life and compassionate sisterhood bonds within the community.
One of the most important examples of our inclusive approach to mental health is the allowance of therapy dogs. If you’ve ever wondered about the benefits of therapy dogs in schools, especially at the high school level, find out why we embrace this form of emotional support.
Important Impacts of Therapy Dogs at St. Agnes Academy
Therapy dogs in educational settings encourage mental health awareness and alternative methods of approaching mental health in teenagers. Therapy dog programs – often in partnership with local animal shelters and organizations – highlight the link between emotional well-being through animal connections and improved academic performance in the classroom.
Our efforts to grow mental health awareness include the involvement and use of therapy dog organizations on a weekly basis on campus.
How Therapy Dogs in Schools Can Benefit the Sisterhood
Therapy dogs and animal-assisted therapy have become more common on school campuses across the United States. Many studies support a direct correlation between improvements within academic settings, such as advanced reading programs and educational achievement, and interaction with therapy dog services.
These dogs offer emotional and physical comfort to a variety of individuals, unlike service dogs that are trained to assist a specific person.
Therapy dog handlers are trained to provide social emotional interactions with students and therapeutic support to a large group of individuals, usually students in school. Through a thorough screening process, the dog and the handlers are allowed to bring the dog to school and engage in therapy dog visits on campus.
Access to Therapy Dog Programs in the Local Community
St. Agnes partners with local therapy dog organizations within the Houston community to provide the opportunity of a school therapy dog program to its students. These shelters and programs – originally revolutionized as human animal bond programs in Colorado – connect registered therapy dogs with outside communities seeking mental health alternatives.
Some examples of local therapy dog services, like pet partners, are available to provide therapy dog work to academic settings:
The Benefits of a Human-Animal Bond in Educational Settings
Take a look at some of the most important benefits of incorporating therapy dogs into a school setting.
1. Improvements in Creating a Conducive Learning Environment
The presence of therapy dogs can enhance and improve learning environments, creating a more focused and motivated academic setting on campus. The dogs reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, worry, and isolation within the community and encourage unity, positivity, and optimism.
The therapy dog services create a more welcoming and inclusive community that emphasizes mental health awareness and the expression of diverse identities and voices.
2. Improvements in Emotional Well-Being
Therapy dog teams have proven to create a calmer and more positive environment while reducing severe anxiety and stress within students. Especially during stressful exam seasons, the therapy dogs are a comforting presence for both students and faculty.
3. Improvements in Mental Health
Animal-assisted interventions have also been directly linked to a decrease in debilitating mood disorders and mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety. Human-animal bond interactions can significantly improve the mood of an individual, especially in a stressful academic setting.
How St. Agnes Academy Implements Therapy Dogs on Campus
Curious to know how we incorporate therapy dogs into school life? Check out these specific examples!
Weekly Campus Visits from Therapy Dog Work
Once a week, St. Agnes welcomes therapy dogs on campus in an effort to support mental health awareness and provide stress relief for students. The registered dog makes rounds around the school and interacts with as many students as possible on campus. This is an exciting and beloved event that offers students the opportunity to relax and reconnect.
Therapy Animal Mental Health Awareness Events
During exam season and close to the end of the quarter, the wellness counseling department will host mental health events and symposiums for the students. Varying from crafting to popsicle events, these gatherings encourage mental health awareness and transparency with students.
The wellness departments welcome therapy dog work and assisted animal therapy on campus for our students. Beyond just dogs, this event hosts all types of service animals - cats, bunnies, and turtles, too!
The students enjoy the exciting and positive impact these therapy programs have on the community and look forward to interactions with the dogs.
Creating a Safe and Welcoming Environment at St. Agnes
The St. Agnes administration prioritizes the safety of our students above all else and ensures safe and comfortable interactions on campus. Through communication with parents and students, the therapy dog service events run smoothly without serious concerns.
Awareness about allergies and any serious safety concerns are addressed with respect to the community of sisterhood and the individual wishes of the students.
How St. Agnes Ensures School Therapy Dog Programs
- Partner with legitimate and well-renowned therapy dog services to ensure properly registered dogs and handlers on campus.
- Create safety guidelines and receive approval from parents.
- Educate the staff and faculty members on how to interact with the dogs and handlers when at school.
- Ensure a clear and concise safety protocol in case of severe emergencies.
- Evaluate the impact the therapy dog services had on the emotional well-being, mental health, and academic performance of our students after the interaction.
The Future of Therapy Dogs and Mental Health Support Initiatives
More schools across the nation are implementing therapy programs and mental health initiatives. The rise of the importance of social emotional learning education has led to increased funding for alternative programs for students.
With more opportunities to improve students' emotional and academic potential, therapy dogs are an amazing resource for schools and students of all ages.
Why Therapy Dogs on Campus is Meaningful to St. Agnes
Therapy dogs in schools and academic settings do more than just offer immediate relief and calm from the chaos of campus. They foster a more respectful, welcoming, and supportive environment for the students and the staff. The positive impact of the dogs can create many benefits, both emotionally and academically.
As the academy women of St. Agnes grow and develop within the sisterhood, support within the community is critical for our growth and development.
Over time, these programs will evolve and change to assist with the mental health of modern-day teens and help spread mental health awareness in high schools nationwide. Incorporating therapy dogs into the rhythm of school life is just one way we are helping our student body develop and grow into healthy young women.
We invite you to learn more about the Wellness Center and other mental health events on campus.
