Sign In

Therapy Dogs At School

January 7, 2021

Those who own a dog can attest to their ability to lift mood, improve stress and bring joy by simply being there, unanswering, seemingly all-knowing and always delighted to see you.  Therapy animals are known for their calm and comforting nature, giving people a way to relax, de-stress and interact with a loving pet.  They can help people feeling upset, lonely or those who have been in traumatic situations.  Therapy dogs have been used in hospices, residential homes, hospitals and more and more commonly in schools.  Poor mental health within the student population is rising, becoming a more concerning issue.  Schools are trying hard to tackle this and therapy dogs maybe part of the solution.

When questioning Reverend Cecil on the impact Lina has on our school community she replied, “I think Lina brings a lot of joy to JAGS.  Many pupils and staff come to visit Lina – to stroke her – touch her warm belly and silky ears- and leave feeling uplifted and a bit less stressed.  Lina is there, a warm, breathing, heart-beating creature that doesn’t judge you nor does she talk back.  Lina can listen and trust your knee to be her pillow.  Lina simply loves people – and in a school environment that can be stressful and tense, Lina brings something else.  She is simply there to greet you with a waggy tail and ‘tells’ you that all is going to be ok.  Some students come and sit with Lina to rehearse before an exam and some come and give Lina a stroke when they are upset.  And of course, it’s important to remember that Lina is a dog.  She is not left alone but sits in my office at all times.  This is important for the safety of the school but also give Lina a space to hide if and when she needs some space.”

Register your Dog Schedule a Visit

  • Recent News

    Students Get Therapy Dog

    When middle school students return to class on Jan. 11, they’ll find a new face at the door: Daisy. Daisy is a therapy dog and the personal pet of Rob Kreger, principal of the Rock L. Butler Middle School. The five-year-old golden retriever is not a school pet or mascot, but rather a working dog […]

    Read more

    Therapy Dogtor

    Last March, Caroline Benzel, a third-year medical student, began to notice the stress and discomfort her nurse friends were feeling from the pressures of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. “[Personal protective equipment] can be really rough on the skin,” Benzel, 31, tells PEOPLE. Benzel and her 3-year-old Rottweiler, Loki (who’s also a therapy dog) hatched a […]

    Read more

    Therapy Dog Pups

    When Stanley the miniature fox terrier’s owner passed away, the little dog started a ‘paw-some’ new role – bringing puppy love to some of the Gold Coast’s oldest residents. After Carinity Cedarbrook Diversional Therapist Julianne Staff adopted Stanley, he began visiting the aged care community at Mudgeeraba as a therapy dog. Therapy dogs help to […]

    Read more

    Therapy Dogs At School

    Those who own a dog can attest to their ability to lift mood, improve stress and bring joy by simply being there, unanswering, seemingly all-knowing and always delighted to see you.  Therapy animals are known for their calm and comforting nature, giving people a way to relax, de-stress and interact with a loving pet.  They […]

    Read more

    Wonder Dog

    For those of us with dogs, we know they quickly become major parts of the family. You live for and care for just like one of your own children, and one dog right here in Oklahoma City is beating the odds, and helping others recover as a therapy dog, despite all of the issues he’s […]

    Read more

    Scott And Charlie

    Cherokee Middle School students may do a little more “doodling” second semester starting this month (January), but also will improve their attendance marks because of a special attraction at the school, courtesy of Principal Scott Aden. Aden, an effective, caring administrator, has acquired and will house and handle a young female Golden Doodle (Charlie) that […]

    Read more

    Hope For Veterans

    E5 Therapy opened in April with a different way to help veterans in therapy. They offer canine-assisted therapy along with talk therapy to veterans and veterans’ families in Solano County. Owner Matthew Decker is a licensed clinical social worker in Northern California, focused on helping veterans achieve their mental health goals. Along with his team, […]

    Read more