School Therapy Dogs: Why Their Needs Must Come First
There’s no denying the positive impact a therapy dog can have in a school environment. From calming anxious students to creating a more welcoming atmosphere, school therapy dogs are becoming a sought-after addition to many school communities. But before you consider adding a four-legged friend to your team, it’s crucial to understand that a therapy dog’s wellbeing must be at the heart of any program, well before fitting them into the school timetable.
A common misconception is that a therapy dog can simply slot into the busy school day, moving from classroom to classroom on a tight schedule. In reality, therapy dogs have their own unique needs. They require carefully managed routines that prioritise their energy, health, and stress levels. This means watching closely for signs of fatigue or anxiety, ensuring they have regular decompression time after interacting with students, and providing plenty of opportunities for play and exercise outside their working hours.
Beyond the daily routine, there are significant ongoing commitments. Therapy dogs need formal training, yearly assessments, and continual monitoring to ensure they’re happy and fit for their role. Their health, grooming, specialised diets, and insurance all require dedicated attention and resources. For many schools, allocating staff, time, and funds to meet these needs can quickly become overwhelming, especially when balancing the demands of a busy educational environment.
This is where Canine Comprehension offers the perfect solution. Instead of shouldering the full responsibility of owning and managing a therapy dog, schools can access our programs and services, bringing in a professional therapy dog handler and their well-trained dog. This approach ensures that the therapy dog’s welfare is always the top priority, with routines designed specifically for their needs, not just as a ‘school resource’. Your staff can focus on what they do best: teaching and supporting students, while we handle the specialist care and management of the therapy dog.
By partnering with Canine Comprehension, your school gains all the proven benefits of a therapy dog, reduced stress, improved student wellbeing, and a more inclusive environment, without the ongoing responsibility, workload, or expense of managing your own program. Our experienced mentors ensure every visit is safe, ethical, and tailored to both the students’ needs and the dog’s welfare.
If you want to experience the magic of therapy dogs in your school, but without the heavy lifting, Canine Comprehension is ready to help. Let us bring the benefits to your community while you enjoy peace of mind, knowing the dog’s wellbeing is always front and centre.
