Can Therapy Dogs Make School Better? Teachers Say Yes

What if one of the simplest ways to help students feel calmer, more connected, and more motivated at school walked in on four legs and wagged its tail?

A new study explored how educators feel about a visiting dog program at an elementary school.

The researchers wanted to understand a simple but important question: How do educators actually feel about these programs? To find out, they surveyed 31 school staff members and conducted focus groups with 19 educators who had direct experience with visiting dogs.

Teachers, administrators, and school staff described visiting dogs as more than just a fun distraction. They saw them as tools for emotional support, social connection, and even classroom engagement.

What Are Visiting Dog Programs?

Visiting dog programs involve trained, certified pet dogs that visit schools to interact with students and staff in supportive ways. Visiting dogs are sometimes called therapy dogs. However, the studied program does not provide therapy. Instead, these dogs and their handlers receive special training to visit public locations (e.g. schools, libraries, hospitals) and support overall wellbeing and happiness.

What Teachers Observed

The educators described a wide range of benefits for students.

Students Became Calmer and More Focused

Teachers repeatedly noticed students relaxing when dogs were present. Some educators described students visibly calming down after stressful moments like recess conflicts or difficult transitions during the school day. Others said the dogs helped students refocus and re-engage with learning. For children who struggle with anxiety or behavioral challenges, the dogs often acted as a soothing presence.

Dogs Helped Students Connect With Others

Teachers also observed improvements in social interaction. Students who usually stayed isolated in other social situations often approached the dogs, talked with handlers, or joined peers during visits. Educators noticed new social connections forming naturally around the animals. Interestingly, the dogs also helped teach boundaries and respectful interaction. Teachers felt these lessons sometimes transferred into human relationships too. One educator explained that children could learn respect and empathy with dogs first, then apply those skills with classmates.

The Benefits Weren’t Just for Students

An unexpected finding was how much teachers and school staff also benefited. Educators described visiting dog visits as moments of emotional relief during stressful workdays. Some staff members intentionally stepped out to spend time with the dogs because they found the interactions calming and restorative. The study suggests that visiting dog programs may support the wellbeing of adults in schools, not just children.

What Recommendations Did Teachers Have For These Programs?

The study uncovered practical lessons for schools considering visiting dog programs.

1. Consistency Matters

Students respond best when visits happen regularly. Knowing the dogs arrive on the same day each week creates anticipation, stability, and routine.

2. Students Need Choice

Not every child wants to interact with a dog, and educators emphasized that participation should always be optional. Some students may have allergies, fears, or past negative experiences with dogs. Giving students control over how much they interact helps create a safer and more inclusive environment.

3. Schools Need Flexibility

Teachers noted that school schedules are unpredictable. Visiting dog programs work best when handlers are flexible and collaborate closely with educators, rather than interrupting important classroom activities.

4. Cultural Awareness Is Important

Some educators raised concerns about how students from different backgrounds may experience dogs differently. Teachers stressed that visiting dog programs should approach these situations thoughtfully and respectfully.

Why This Research Matters

Visiting dogs in schools are becoming increasingly common, but scientific research on their long-term effects is still limited.

This study is valuable because it focuses directly on educator perspectives. Teachers are best positioned see daily changes in student behavior, emotional wellbeing, and classroom culture. Their experiences suggest that visiting dog programs may offer benefits that go far beyond simple entertainment.

According to the researchers, these programs may help schools create environments that feel more connected, more emotionally supportive, and more engaging for students and staff alike.

The Big Takeaway

The educators in this study did not see visiting dogs as gimmicks. They saw them as relationship-builders, emotional supports, and calming influences in increasingly stressful school environments.

The findings suggest that well-designed visiting dog programs, especially those built around routine, student choice, and collaboration with educators, could become meaningful tools for improving school culture and wellbeing.

As schools continue searching for ways to support student wellbeing, one answer may already be waiting patiently at the classroom door.