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Therapy dogs in classrooms may improve children's well-being

Children with emotional or behavioural issues in school may benefit from the presence of trained therapy dogs in classrooms, according to education professionals

By Christa Lesté-Lasserre

27 September 2023

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Therapy dogs can act as non-judgemental companions to children

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The use of therapy dogs in schools may improve children’s mental health, encourage enthusiasm about learning and help them fit in better with their peers, according to feedback from education professionals.

“The introduction of animals [into classrooms] may serve as a practical solution for addressing the growing mental health crisis in childhood and adolescence,” says Robert Baird at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.

Many students struggle with learning, behavioural or emotional difficulties at school and some experience bullying by classmates. These issues…

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