For many students, going back to school means getting back to drooling.
A growing number of K-12 schools are turning to dogs as social workers, counselors and administrators train therapy dogs to work in classrooms, providing comfort and learning opportunities for students.
These four-legged friends don’t mind. They are completely comfortable in classroom reading circles, getting petted by students during counseling sessions, and even helping students with disabilities hone their motor skills through guided exercises. You can learn more about how schools train and use therapy dogs here.
Celebrate National Dog Day on August 26, we scoured social media and » asked Education Week social media followers to share photos of their school’s therapy dogs.
Here’s a look at some of the dogs that contribute to the well-being of students and staff.
New doggie in town
JF Burns Elementary School in Maineville, Ohio, welcomed Sunny to its staff this year.
Paw-lenteering for pets
Students at schools in West Chester, Pennsylvania, benefit from a visit from Balto, the service dog. Some schools invite trained, selected dogs and volunteer dog handlers into their classrooms, rather than training their own.
Poodles for students
Many schools select poodles for their therapy dogs in the hope that their coats, which shed less, will be less likely to trigger allergies in students.
Best friends
This beautiful couple works at Poplar Grove Middle and Elementary Schools in Franklin, Tennessee.
Motivational Puppies
Educators who work with therapy dogs say they can become a sort of unofficial school mascot, boosting student engagement at school through pets and belly rubs. Here, a therapy dog at an elementary school in Kings Mills, Ohio, accepts birthday gifts.
golden boy
Golden Retrievers are another popular therapy dog breed, loved for their cheerful nature and smiling faces. But experts say dogs of any breed can be trained for the task as long as they enjoy being around people.
Say hello to Cooper, who works at a high school in West Deer, Pennsylvania.
Paw-mp and circumstances
Experts in animal-assisted therapy recommend that prospective therapy dogs begin with basic obedience classes before moving on to programs designed specifically for therapy work.
In this photo, Duke, a good boy from Stockton, California, dons his pom-pom cap.
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