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A school principal’s highest priority is the education, health and welfare of students. Joel Asiala came up with a strategy for his students, starting a therapy dog program six years ago, when he was at Horizons Alternative School. It’s been successful there and at Washington Middle School where he is now. So he’s been helping educate other local area schools to begin their own program. His work got state recognition in Michigan Virtual’s BRIGHT series podcast.
Leaders in education believe school systems need to hear about student mental health programs that work. Programs like Asiala’s are especially helpful because the need for emotional and mental support has risen dramatically in school settings since the pandemic. The CDC says during the last year over one third of high school students in the United States have had increased reports of mental health issues.
Asiala said having a pet in school has helped his students open up, grow and take responsibility. Research found that therapy animals offer a sense of calm when anxiety spikes. The presence of a pet can elevate a person’s mood, and help some regulate their emotions.
Michigan Virtual included information to help educators implement therapy pets into schools as a part of the podcast. A therapy dog is a big responsibility for a school, so starting slow may help some. A therapy dog may not solve all the mental health issues in schools, Asiala said, but it’s a step schools can take to make kids feel more at home.
