Therapy Dogs for Students: Addressing the Growing Need in Schools

In the aftermath of the pandemic, a compilation of 21 global studies has found that students are increasingly experiencing anxiety, depression, fatigue, and distress. Unfortunately, time hasn’t healed these unpleasant trends, and schools are seeking effective ways to support their students' wellbeing.

Research has shown that dog-assisted interventions offer significant physical, psychological, and emotional benefits, leading to a surge in demand for registered therapy dog teams within the education sector. According to a story in Education Week, more schools have introduced therapy dogs to help students cope.

In response to this growing need, the Dogtopia Foundation has teamed up with Pet Partners to recruit more therapy dog teams for the 2024/25 school year. Pet Partners is internationally renowned as the “gold standard” of therapy animal organizations, supporting more than 11,000 therapy animal teams that make more than 3 million visits annually to K-12 schools, universities, colleges, hospitals, nursing homes, and senior centers.

Despite this impressive reach, the increasing demand means there aren’t enough volunteers to go around. To help, we have created a Therapy Dog Recruitment Guide that includes all the information you need to get started.

Join us in making a meaningful difference by becoming a therapy dog volunteer! This fulfilling opportunity allows you to share the joy and comfort of your furry companion with those in need. With flexible scheduling, you can volunteer at your convenience, bringing smiles to faces in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and more. Experience the profound impact of spreading love and healing alongside your beloved pup, wherever your heart leads.

Together, we can support our students and community, making a lasting difference in the lives of those who need it most.

As a nonprofit organization, we rely on your generosity to further the Dogtopia Foundation’s noble cause. By connecting man’s best friend with the organizations we support, we will help returning veterans, students, and adults with autism reach their full potential. Click here to donate today. 100% of your donation is given directly to the organizations we support.