Why Our School Should Have Therapy Dogs

Everyone loves dogs. Well, almost everyone, but honestly, if you don’t like dogs, something is probably wrong with you.

As for me, I love dogs more than a lot of humans. Dogs have always played a huge role in my life. My family has had dogs ever since I was little, and I’m glad and incredibly lucky to have them in my life. Currently, we have four loving dogs who are like my children.

Sadly, though, that is not the case for most dog-lovers. Some people love dogs but have never had one or have never even had the opportunity to get one. For example, if a child begs their parents for a puppy and is rejected, their parents usually have a lot of basic excuses or real problems, such as they cannot afford to care for a dog, they have allergies, they do not like dogs, or one of the most common ones, they believe their children are not responsible enough to care for one.

When Mrs. Prebish brought in her silver lab puppies, I heard various students say that it was the best day of their lives. A lot of them were ecstatic to see the cute little puppies and play with them. In fact, that may have been the first time one of the students has ever held a puppy!

These interactions lead me to a conclusion about therapy dogs in the school.

We should definitely have therapy dogs visit the high school at least once or twice a week, and here is my reasoning.

When people interact with dogs, a chemical called oxytocin is released in their brain. Oxytocin is characterized as a warm, fuzzy feeling you get in your chest. This chemical is also what helps mothers bond to their children. In other words, it makes you happy.

So when you think about it, dogs are truly man’s (and woman’s) best friends. We’ve been together since the dawn of time, putting in thousands of years of effort in order to domesticate them and shape them into the loving creatures they are today.

In 2019, a study published by the National Institute of Health proved that having therapy dogs in the classroom improves a child’s mental health by relieving stress and anxiety. Dogs help lower a child’s cortisol levels (a type of stress hormone) and also help their ability to learn and focus.

Having and taking care of dogs allows children to grow and become responsible adults in the future. Not to mention, dogs are always there for you, unlike some of the people in your life. For example, dogs will not tell you that they are, ‘going out to buy a pack of cigarettes,’ and then never return home and when they do return after at least twenty or so years they just want money.

Dogs will also not leave your lunch table just to go sit with Brenda or even worse, Brenda’s evil friend Becky.

ANYWAYS, the opposing side might object to therapy dogs, stating, “Wait, aren’t dogs just distractions? What if they hurt someone? They’re too much of a hassle!”

Therapy dogs have at least a full year of training. Police academies only have about six months of training, by the way. Isn’t that strange? There is practically no possibility that therapy dogs could ever bring harm. Therapy dogs are not distractions either; they are helpful. They bring joy to people’s lives!

“I feel that it would be an important thing in this school,” states 12th grader Abigail Holtz when asked about her opinion on therapy dogs,“When Mrs. Prebish brought in her puppies, you could see the visible excitement and overall joy it brought to the students. Not only will the dogs help the students who need it when they don't feel well, it will also bring joy to the students who don't necessarily need the dog. It may just be the boost they need to get through the day. We all could use a little animal time to lift our day and help motivate us to not just get through it but smile through it. That is why I feel it is important to have therapy dogs in school.”

“I think it would be a great idea!" says Katie Brady, also another 12th grader, "Just having pets for a small portion of the day would definitely brighten spirits throughout the day.”

Furthermore, my own experience with therapy dogs has been rather great.

When my family and I were stuck at the Pittsburgh airport for at least twelve hours, a few trainers brought in some therapy dogs and introduced them to all the stressed and sleep-deprived passengers. Everyone was happy to see them, especially the children.

About two years ago, I brought my own dog Sophie (featured on my staff page) to my mother’s workplace, which happened to be a nursing home. I had never seen so many smiling faces! I almost felt like crying. Some of the residents had actually been carrying little stuffed animals around, so when they saw Sophie, they were elated. Not to mention, Sophie had a very fun time too.

Now, it might be a bit difficult getting the support of the school board and such, but with enough support, then I am sure that some day, hopefully sooner than later, a dog will walk right into a classroom and brighten everyone’s day. Wouldn’t you like that too?