Therapy Dogs in Schools: Benefits, Programs, and How to Start One

Picture this: a struggling reader sits down next to a calm Golden Retriever, opens a book, and starts reading aloud. No judgment. No correction. Just a patient, patient listener who thinks every word is brilliant. This is therapy dogs in schools — and it’s transforming education in ways that textbooks never could.

From reducing anxiety during exams to helping children with autism develop social skills, school therapy dogs are becoming an essential part of modern education. This guide covers everything you need to know: the proven benefits, how school therapy dog programs work, and how to bring one to your school.

The Science Behind Therapy Dogs in Schools

This isn’t just feel-good fluff — the research backs it up. Multiple peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated significant benefits of animal-assisted interventions in educational settings:

Cortisol reduction: A 2019 study in AERA Open found that university students who interacted with therapy dogs showed a significant reduction in cortisol levels (stress hormone) levels compared to control groups.
Reading improvement: The University of British Columbia found that children who read to therapy dogs improved their reading motivation over just 8 weeks.
Attendance boost: Schools with therapy dog programs report Some schools report 10% improvement in student attendance.
Reduced behavioral incidents: Multiple schools report Anecdotal reports suggest Anecdotal reports suggest 20-30% fewer disciplinary referrals after implementing therapy dog programs.

7 Proven Benefits of Therapy Dogs in Schools

1. Reducing Student Anxiety and Stress

Test anxiety is real, and it’s getting worse. The American Test Anxiety Association estimates that 16-20% of students have high test anxiety, while another 18% have moderately high anxiety. Therapy dogs provide a non-pharmacological way to lower stress levels — just 10 minutes of petting a dog can measurably reduce anxiety.

2. Improving reading motivation

Reading to a dog removes the fear of judgment that holds many struggling readers back. Dogs don’t correct pronunciation, don’t laugh at mistakes, and don’t rush the reader. Programs like R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) have been implemented in thousands of schools and libraries with remarkable results.

3. Supporting Special Education

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, and other learning differences often respond exceptionally well to therapy dogs. The dogs provide:

A calming presence during overwhelming moments
Motivation for task completion (“finish your work, then you can pet the dog”)
Practice for social interactions in a non-threatening context
Sensory regulation through tactile stimulation

4. Teaching Empathy and Emotional Intelligence

Interacting with therapy dogs teaches children to read non-verbal cues, practice gentle touch, and consider another being’s needs. These skills directly translate to better peer relationships and emotional regulation.

5. Crisis Response and Grief Support

After traumatic events — school shootings, natural disasters, the loss of a classmate — therapy dogs provide critical emotional support. Many school districts now include therapy dogs in their crisis response plans.

6. Building School Community

A school therapy dog becomes a shared positive experience. Students who might never interact find common ground. The dog becomes a conversation starter, a comfort during tough days, and a reason to look forward to school.

7. Supporting Teacher and Staff Wellbeing

It’s not just students who benefit. Teachers report lower stress levels and higher job satisfaction in schools with therapy dog programs. Educator burnout is at record levels — therapy dogs help everyone in the building.

Types of School Therapy Dog Programs

Visiting Therapy Dog Programs

Volunteer handlers bring certified therapy dogs to the school on a regular schedule — typically 1-3 times per week. This is the most common model because it requires the least commitment from the school.

Best for: Schools just starting out, limited budgets, testing the concept

Facility Dogs (Full-Time)

A professionally trained dog lives at the school full-time (usually with a designated staff handler). This model provides the most consistent support but requires significant investment and commitment.

Best for: Schools with high needs populations, dedicated funding, committed staff

Teacher-Owned Therapy Dogs

A teacher or counselor brings their own certified therapy dog to school. This model is cost-effective but depends entirely on one person’s commitment and the dog’s continued suitability.

Best for: Small schools, individual classrooms, counselor offices

How to Start a Therapy Dog Program at Your School

Step 1: Build Your Case

You’ll need buy-in from administration. Prepare a proposal that includes:

Research on benefits (cite the studies above)
Examples of successful programs at similar schools
Proposed structure (visiting vs. full-time)
Budget estimate
Risk management plan (allergies, fear of dogs, liability)

Step 2: Address Concerns

Common objections and how to handle them:

Concern	Solution
Student allergies	Designate dog-free zones; schedule visits so allergic students can avoid contact; choose hypoallergenic breeds
Fear of dogs	Participation is always optional; create safe spaces; gradual exposure with consent
Liability	Use certified therapy dogs with insurance through recognized organizations; obtain school district approval
Hygiene	Regular grooming schedule; handwashing after interaction; designated areas only
Distraction	Structured visit times; clear protocols for when the dog is “working” vs. resting

Step 3: Find Your Dog Team

Contact local therapy dog organizations to find certified handler-dog teams willing to volunteer. Organizations like Pet Partners, Therapy Dogs International, and Alliance of Therapy Dogs maintain directories of registered teams.

Step 4: Create Policies and Procedures

Document everything:

Which areas the dog can access
Visit schedules and duration
Student opt-in/opt-out procedures
Parent notification and consent forms
Emergency protocols
Hygiene and cleanup procedures
Dog welfare guidelines (rest breaks, stress signals)

Step 5: Launch and Evaluate

Start small — perhaps one day per week in the counselor’s office or library. Collect data on student engagement, behavioral incidents, and feedback. Use this data to expand the program over time.

Best Dog Breeds for School Therapy Programs

While temperament matters more than breed, these breeds consistently excel in school environments:

Golden Retriever — Patient, gentle, and naturally drawn to children
Labrador Retriever — Calm, friendly, and unflappable in noisy environments
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel — Small, lap-sized, and incredibly gentle
Standard Poodle — Hypoallergenic, smart, and great with kids
Bernese Mountain Dog — Gentle giant that kids love to lean on

Real-World Success Stories

Calvert Elementary, Missouri: After introducing therapy dog “Junie B,” the school saw a 28% decrease in office referrals and a measurable increase in reading scores among students who participated in the read-to-a-dog program.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Florida: Following the tragic 2018 shooting, therapy dogs became a permanent fixture. Students credit them as essential to their emotional recovery.

R.E.A.D. Program (nationwide): Over 5,500 registered therapy teams across 50 states, with documented reading improvement in 100% of participating schools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do parents need to give permission?

Yes. Most schools send home a notification letter and require an opt-out form for parents who don’t want their child to interact with the therapy dog. Some districts require active opt-in consent.

What about students who are afraid of dogs?

Participation is always voluntary. Fearful students are never forced to interact. Many programs designate specific areas for therapy dog visits so students can easily avoid them if they choose.

How much does a school therapy dog program cost?

Visiting programs with volunteer teams can cost as little as $0 (handlers donate their time). Full-time facility dogs cost $15,000-$30,000 for training plus ongoing care expenses. Many schools fund programs through grants, PTA fundraising, or community donations.

The Bottom Line

Therapy dogs in schools aren’t a luxury — they’re an evidence-based intervention that improves academic performance, reduces behavioral issues, and supports the emotional wellbeing of students and staff alike. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or administrator, starting a therapy dog program is more achievable than you might think.

The first step? Reach out to a local therapy dog organization and ask about school visiting programs. You might be surprised how many certified teams are looking for schools to serve.

Want to learn more? Read our complete guide on how to get your dog certified as a therapy dog and explore how autism support dogs are transforming lives.