Everybody at the AE program loves when Benny and Miss Hailey come by!!
Benny is a white standard poodle who travels across our school district to meet with students and staff of all ages.
Therapy dogs have a lot of benefits to offer to school and university students. The recorded benefits include improving attendance, problem-solving abilities, and improved calmness.\r\n
\r\nOne of the most significant impacts that therapy dogs can make in the classroom is students’ socio-emotional development. Besides their training, therapy dogs bring their lovable and loving characteristics. These friendly companions are good listeners and offer great companionship and an audience to children without making any judgments.
Students can bond readily with the dogs, feeling more connected and confident. Studies show that this helps reduce negative behavior in children. Spending time with dogs also helps improve children’s mental well-being. There can be pressure on children in school environments - they're learning new academic skills, as well as social skills. Therapy dogs help children navigate these new feelings and experiences.
\r\nThe relationships between the dogs and students help develop trust in children, and such children are also more likely to develop a broader capacity for empathy. They are able to trust their teachers more, too, which helps in learning.
Therapy dogs have also been found to help students become better readers, have increased attendance, grow in their individual confidence, and reduce anxiety.
\r\nWe are grateful for Miss Hailey and for Benny for the numerous ways they help our Beebe Badgers be the best versions of themselves!
