Therapy dogs would be an amazing addition to our school and schools across the country. Since they improve students physically and mentally, they would be beneficial to the students and would relax them.
Dogs can help human health in a positive way. It is scientifically proven that dogs can lower blood pressure, improve cardiovascular health, diminish physical pain, and they help release endorphins to make the individual calm.
Other than fixing physical pain, dogs also can improve mental health. They lessen depression, decrease the feeling of isolation, provide comfort, reduce boredom and anxiety, create motivation, and help kids overcome emotional disorders.
Not only do the dogs help with physical and mental health, but they also provide literacy support. Some schools have students read aloud to dogs for reading practice. Dogs improve literacy skills, make children focus, give the idea of a non-stressful environment, reduce self-consciousness while increasing confidence, and encourage the enjoyment of reading.
When I was in elementary school at NEMS, there was a poodle that children could read out loud to. The students loved the dog very much and enjoyed reading and being in the presence of the poodle. Unfortunately, the dog was taken out of the school and the program did not last long.
According to an article on www.edutopia.org by Shari Feeney, a veteran teacher and administrator whose school had a therapy dog, found their therapy dog to be extremely beneficial to the students.
Her school's dog, named Boomer, helped children's phobia of school and instantly dried their tears.
If we had a therapy dog in Norton, it could possibly bring students more enjoyment and lessen their anxiety at school. It could help physically, mentally, and educationally.