WHY HAVE THERAPY DOGS IN SCHOOLS?
A therapy dog program in schools has the potential to benefit not only students, but handlers and dogs as well. An animal can be a motivator, listener, and offer support to those in need.
Colorado STEM Academy is an innovation STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) school just outside of Denver, Colorado. The school opened in 2013 with 100 students in grades 3-8, and has now expanded to approximately 400 students in grades K-8. The school is 50% free and reduced lunch, and services many students with social/emotional needs.
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This Instructional Module Unit (IMU) is being targeted for the principal, counselor, and teachers at Colorado STEM Academy.
ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY STORIES
R.E.A.D. at School
How are therapy dogs used in school settings? Intermountain Therapy Animals introduces the Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) program that brings dogs into a classroom to help students with their reading.
Bergen County High School Experiments With Therapy Dogs
Learn how therapy dogs are used to help relieve stress in high school students.