Benefits

Research shows that therapy‑dog programs can meaningfully support academic performance by reducing stress and improving students’ readiness to learn. A peer‑reviewed study of rural math classrooms found that therapy dogs helped lower student anxiety, leading to better concentration and improved learning outcomes. Broader reviews of school‑based therapy‑dog programs also highlight improvements in classroom engagement, social behavior, and overall learning environment quality, all of which contribute to stronger academic performance. 

Therapy‑dog–assisted SEL programs measurably strengthen students’ emotional regulation, wellbeing, and social connection. A 2025 evaluation of a dog‑assisted SEL intervention in a mainstream primary school found a significant group‑time effect for SEL knowledge, with students in the therapy‑dog group showing continued gains at follow‑up. A companion study exploring children’s perceptions reported that students felt calmer, more supported, and more engaged during dog‑assisted SEL sessions, describing the dog as a comforting, non‑judgmental presence that made SEL activities feel safer and more enjoyable. Together, these findings show that integrating therapy dogs into SEL instruction enhances emotional readiness, improves classroom climate, and deepens students’ social–emotional skill development. 

Students in special education, particularly those on the autism spectrum, experience some of the strongest benefits from dog‑assisted support. Autism service and therapy dogs help reduce anxiety, provide grounding during sensory overload, and interrupt distressing or repetitive behaviors. Research and clinical reports consistently show improvements in social interaction, communication skills, emotional regulation, and daily functioning when autistic children work with trained dogs. Families and educators also report increased independence, smoother transitions, and a greater sense of safety and wellbeing. These outcomes make facility dogs a powerful, evidence‑supported tool for supporting diverse learners in school environments. 

Therapy‑dog interactions produce measurable, well‑documented physiological benefits that support stress reduction and overall health. Research shows that spending time with a therapy dog can lower cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, while also reducing blood pressure and heart rate, contributing to improved cardiovascular wellbeing. New HABRI‑funded research is also exploring how therapy‑dog interactions influence heart and brain activity, deepening scientific understanding of the calming, regulatory effects of human–dog bonding. Together, these findings demonstrate that therapy dogs don’t just make people feel better — they create real, measurable changes in the body that support emotional regulation, physical health, and readiness to learn. 

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Dudley, C., & Knight, D. (2023). Impact of therapy dogs on student achievement in rural math classrooms. Alabama Journal of Educational Leadership, 10, 59–86. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1401588 (eric.ed.gov in Bing)

Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI). (2025). Study explores health benefits of human-dog interactions. Veterinary Practice News.  https://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/human-dog-interactions-study/ (veterinarypracticenews.com in Bing)

McDowall, S., Hazel, S. J., Cobb, M., & Hamilton‑Bruce, A. (2023). Understanding the role of therapy dogs in human health promotion. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(10), 5801. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20105801 (doi.org in Bing)

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Paws4Change. (n.d.). Social and emotional learning in schools with therapy dogs. https://paws4change.com.au/social-and-emotional-learning-in-schools/ (paws4change.com.au in Bing)

Preston, C. (2025). 10 benefits of autism therapy dogs. Autism Parenting Magazine. 
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RevSystems. (n.d.). Therapy dogs in schools. https://www.revsystems.com/textbook-ga-24-1-41/therapy-dogs-in-schools.pdf (revsystems.com in Bing)

School Dogs. (2025). Enhancing social emotional learning with therapy dogs in schools. https://schooldogs.com/enhancing-social-emotional-learning-with-therapy-dogs-in-schools/ (schooldogs.com in Bing)

True Progress Therapy. (2025). Autism service dogs: A lifeline for emotional support and daily challenges. https://trueprogresstherapy.com/blog/autism-service-dogs/ (trueprogresstherapy.com in Bing)

Wintermantel, L., Grove, C., & Laletas, S. (2025). Children’s perceptions of a therapy dog-assisted social and emotional learning intervention: Survey and interview findings. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 39(1), 22–41. https://doi.org/10.1080/02568543.2024.2325470 (doi.org in Bing)

Wintermantel, L., Grove, C., & McLean, L. (2025). An evaluation of a therapy dog-assisted social and emotional learning intervention in a school setting. Applied Developmental Science. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2025.2578233 (doi.org in Bing)

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