Therapy Animals in Schools and Education

Published on: July 24, 2025

Classrooms can be stressful environments, especially for students navigating emotional, behavioral or learning challenges. To help meet these needs, more schools across the country are turning to therapy animals as a way to create calm, supportive learning spaces. These specially trained animal companions can have a profound impact on learning and engagement, whether by reducing test anxiety or providing a calming influence during reading time.

In this blog, we’ll explore the growing role of therapy animals in schools, the benefits they bring to school communities and how Husson University’s animal-assisted therapy degree program prepares students to make a meaningful difference.

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How Therapy Animals Are Used in Schools

Therapy animals are integrated into schools in a variety of ways to meet different student needs. In elementary classrooms, they serve as gentle reading companions, helping shy or struggling readers build confidence without judgment. In middle and high schools, therapy dogs can be part of stress-relief breaks during exam weeks or support groups. On college campuses, therapy animals often show up at designated “pet-a-pet” events or counseling sessions, providing emotional comfort and encouraging students to take a mental health break amid academic pressures.

Common School Settings for Therapy Animals

Successful school therapy animal programs require collaboration among teachers, counselors and certified handlers to ensure both student and animal well-being.

Elementary schools. Elementary schools frequently host therapy animals during reading activities and daily classroom visits. Programs like R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs), for example, have been shown to boost literacy, engagement and emotional regulation in young students. Classroom dogs also help create a calmer atmosphere and support social skill development.

Middle and high schools. In middle and high schools, therapy animals often appear during high-stress periods, such as exams. San Francisco’s Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep, for instance, invites certified dogs to campus during finals week to help lower stress levels, increase self‑esteem and enhance attendance.

Colleges and universities. Colleges frequently host “pet-a-pet” or “Therapy Fluffies” events, especially during midterms and finals. With the help of emotional support animals, students can take much-needed breaks and reconnect emotionally —highlighting the link between therapy dogs and mental health.

Activities and Programs Involving Therapy Animals

Reading programs (e.g., “Read to a Dog”) - Programs like R.E.A.D. use therapy dogs in literacy sessions, helping children — especially those with reading difficulties — gain confidence and improve fluency by reading aloud in a nonjudgmental setting. Reading with therapy dogs also helps children feel more relaxed and makes them more willing to practice their literacy skills.

Stress‑relief sessions (especially during exams) - Therapy animals are brought into schools during exam periods to reduce cortisol levels and anxiety. Repeat visits on college campuses have led to long-lasting improvements in stress and self‑compassion.

Emotional support groups - Therapy animals provide comfort in group counseling sessions, helping students open up and process emotions in a supportive environment.

Behavioral intervention programs - In both elementary and secondary settings, therapy dogs aid students with behavioral or emotional challenges by modeling emotional regulation and boosting peer interaction.

Crisis response and trauma support - Following traumatic events, such as incidents of school violence, therapy animals can help provide immediate emotional relief. Not only do they support students, but they also help staff.

Benefits of Therapy Animals in Educational Settings

The benefit of therapy dogs in schools goes far beyond providing comfort. These animals actively reduce anxiety, uplift mood and enhance classroom engagement. Let’s explore the link between therapy dogs and mental health and how these programs are transforming student outcomes.

Emotional and Mental Health Benefits

The connection between therapy animals and mental health is well-documented, with studies showing reduced depression and anxiety levels among students who regularly interact with therapy animals.

Reduced stress and anxiety - Interacting with therapy animals, such as petting a dog, can help lower cortisol levels and ease stress in students of all ages — from elementary through college. These moments of connection are especially helpful during high-pressure times like exams.

Emotional regulation - Regular exposure to animal-assisted activities can help students better manage their emotions. By offering a soothing presence, therapy animals may encourage greater self-awareness, patience and control.

Enhanced mood and well‑being - Another major benefit of therapy dogs is improved mood. Therapy animals can lift students’ spirits, create a more positive environment and help build a sense of community. For many, they also provide an emotional outlet that makes it easier to navigate the ups and downs of school life.

Academic and Social Benefits

Increased motivation to read or participate - Programs like “Read to a Dog” can encourage reluctant readers to engage with books, boosting both fluency and enthusiasm.

Improved focus and classroom behavior - The presence of therapy animals can help reduce task avoidance and aggression, leading to better classroom engagement, higher attendance and increased attention spans, especially in students with special needs.

Enhanced socialization and communication skills – Interacting with therapy animals can help build stronger social and interpersonal skills. For children with autism, therapy animals can serve as social catalysts, improving speech and peer communication.

Safety, Guidelines and Considerations

Ensuring that school therapy animal programs are safe and effective requires clear policies, legal compliance and thoughtful implementation. Let’s break down the essentials for schools to consider.

School Policies and Legal Requirements

Schools need well-defined policies that comply with legal requirements and local regulations. For instance, before a therapy animal is introduced, schools should obtain written permission from parents or guardians and clearly communicate with staff about the animal's presence.

It’s also crucial to maintain up-to-date health and vaccination records. This includes proof of licensure, recent veterinary exams and documentation for rabies and other necessary shots. In addition, schools need appropriate liability coverage. Handlers should carry insurance that names the school as an additional insured party to help protect against any potential incidents.

Best Practices for Safe Interactions

Safe implementation of therapy animals in schools requires structured supervision, strong hygiene protocols and respect for animal welfare. All interactions should be overseen by trained handlers or staff who understand both human and animal behavior.

Proper hygiene is also key. To minimize infection risk, students and staff should wash their hands before and after any contact with animals. Furthermore, animals should be clean, vaccinated and free of parasites. Session lengths should also be limited to prevent fatigue.

Finally, clear policies should outline behavioral expectations and response procedures. Ideally, emotional support animals should be leashed, and they should be immediately removed if they show signs of stress, illness or aggression.

Common Roles Involving Therapy Animals

Bringing therapy animals into educational environments requires a team of dedicated professionals. From school-based counselors and specialized therapists to classroom educators and nonprofit coordinators, each participant plays a crucial part in ensuring effective, safe and meaningful animal-assisted programming.

School Counselors With Animal-Assisted Therapy Training

School counselors who receive training in animal-assisted therapy play a vital dual role: they combine traditional counseling skills with structured animal interactions to support student well-being. They often work closely with handlers, using therapy dogs in one-on-one or group settings to foster trust, reduce anxiety and support overall student well-being.

Animal-Assisted Therapists

Animal-assisted therapists are licensed or certified professionals — often with backgrounds in mental health, psychology or occupational therapy — who design and facilitate goal-oriented interventions using animals. Their responsibilities may include grooming, walking or playing with animals to support emotional regulation, trauma recovery or social skill development.

Educators and Reading Specialists Integrating Therapy Dogs

Reading specialists and classroom teachers frequently bring therapy dogs into literacy programs to enrich the learning environment. Reading with therapy dogs, for example, fosters a relaxed, judgment-free environment, which can enhance fluency and student confidence. As mentioned above, this approach is particularly beneficial for reluctant or struggling readers.

Nonprofit or Program Coordinators

Nonprofit and program coordinators are essential behind-the-scenes leaders who develop and implement therapy animal programs. In addition to managing volunteer and handler recruitment, they ensure that staff, students and animals follow policies and safety protocols. They may also gather feedback to refine programming — all while maintaining insurance, certifications and administrative oversight.

Turn Your Passion for Helping Others Into a Purpose-Driven Career

Therapy animals are making a lasting difference in classrooms — easing anxiety, improving focus and creating stronger, more compassionate learning environments. From reading programs to crisis support, their presence is transforming how students learn and connect. At Husson University, our Animal-Assisted Therapy degree program prepares you to lead this impactful work with confidence and care. You’ll gain the hands-on training and knowledge needed to support both animals and students in a variety of educational and therapeutic settings.

Passionate about the intersection of therapy animals and mental health? Learn more about Husson’s Animal-Assisted Therapy degree and take the next step toward a meaningful career.