Additional Information

Why?

There is long standing evidence that there is a strong association between well-being and learning outcomes. Children with higher levels of well-being learn more effectively, have lower levels of absenteeism at school, better academic engagement, and also have more satisfying and successful peer relationships (1).

Research demonstrates therapy dogs can enhance children's well-being in a variety of settings from schools, hospitals, airports, and courtrooms (1). As such, therapy dogs within school settings have been found to increase student’s well being by:

Reducing physiological symptoms of stress through lowering cortisol levels
Increasing positive emotions
Promoting engagement in learning activities and positive attitudes toward learning
Reducing negative behaviors (i.e. anxiety, task avoidance and aggression in the classroom)
Encouraging prosocial behaviors (e.g. self-esteem, motivation) and acting as a “social catalyst” to facilitate social interactions with others

More specifically, a systematic literature review by Hall et al. found dog-assisted reading programs generally show promising results such as gains in reading skills (e.g., reading accuracy, oral reading fluency, comprehension) and more positive attitudes and improved behaviors toward reading. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. The bottom line is Although further research is warranted, the bottom line is that participation in therapy dog programs, can lead to improvements in emotional and behavioral processes which in turn can facilitate learning and contribute to gains in learning outcomes like reading (1).

Better Understanding

Therapy Dogs, Facility Dogs & Other Support Dogs

Therapy Dogs

Purpose: Provide comfort and affection to people in various settings like hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and disaster areas.
Training: Trained for socialization and to be well-behaved around different types of people and environments. They do not perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities.
Access Rights: Have limited public access rights, typically only allowed in the specific facilities they are visiting with their handlers' permission.

Facility Dogs

Purpose: Assist professionals in settings like schools, hospitals, or courthouses by providing therapeutic support.
Training: Trained to work alongside professionals and assist in their work, often certified through specific organizations.
Access Rights: Similar to therapy dogs, they don’t have the same access rights as service dogs. Their role is institution-specific.

Service Dogs

Purpose: Perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities, such as guiding the visually impaired, alerting deaf individuals to sounds, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, or reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications.
Training: Undergo extensive training to perform these specific tasks and behave appropriately in various public settings.
Access Rights: Have full public access rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), meaning they can accompany their handler almost anywhere the public is allowed.

Emotional Support Dogs

Purpose: Provide emotional comfort and support to individuals with mental health issues or emotional conditions.
Training: Do not require special training beyond basic obedience. Their presence alone is what helps the person.
Access Rights: Have more limited access rights. They are not granted the same public access rights as service dogs. However, they are covered under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), allowing them to live with their owners in housing units that have a "no pets" policy, and under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), allowing them to fly with their owners on airplanes (though recent changes may affect this).

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