Should schools have therapy dogs?

Polls

29th March 2019

A TOP university official says that pupils’ mental health would improve if every school had a dog.

The comments were made by Sir Anthony Seldon, vice-chancellor of the University of Buckingham. Speaking at an education conference, he said that schools couldn’t just focus on education any more, as young people’s lives are full of more pressure, due to things like social media.

More and more schools are using ‘wellbeing dogs’ as a way to reduce pupils’ stress, and lots of kids have said that the dogs really do help them. However, the Dogs Trust charity said last week that classrooms can be noisy and that “having a dog in every school is not something we’d recommend, and is not likely to be in the best interests of dog welfare”.

Should schools have therapy dogs?

68 Comments

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matthewhutton · 5 years ago

First!

charlienorth · 5 years ago

Second!

oceancraze · 5 years ago

I think it is very important that we have therapy dogs in school because they are trained to deal with depression and anxiety. Adding on, mosts of the time dogs can calm people down when they are in pain or are sad. I know this because whenever I'm sad my pets notices it and they both stay with me.
However, some people have allergies to dogs and this could lead to problems Although i do support that we should have therapy dogs.

oceancraze · 5 years ago

I think it is very important that we have therapy dogs in school because they are trained to deal with depression and anxiety. Adding on, mosts of the time dogs can calm people down when they are in pain or are sad. I know this because whenever I'm sad my pets notices it and they both stay with me.
However, some people have allergies to dogs and this could lead to problems, Although i do support that we should have therapy dogs.

mcgeorge1 · 5 years ago

Some people like me for example, find that dogs can increase their anxiety.And I personally would not enjoy a dog sitting next to me in class.

mcgeorge1 · 5 years ago

Some people like me for example, find that dogs can increase their anxiety.

jesusrules · 5 years ago

i think that there should be therapy dogs because dogs have a really good effect on people if they are autistic or are anxious, dogs help release endorphins which make you happy and calm, giving you higher self esteem.

gamer07 · 5 years ago

No, because some people are allergic/afraid of dogs.

gamer07 · 5 years ago

Ps third?????????????????

preston · 5 years ago

I think that if all schools had dogs some of the children might be scared or some allergic which would mean they would feel left out.

dcfan · 5 years ago

Dogs have been proven to help with mental health issues and reduce stress,all schools should have them.

owlyem · 5 years ago

Yes they should becouse children in my class have them and it really helps

teamgorbo1 · 5 years ago

If the dog isn’t scared and worried I don’t see any problem in it. As it can be enjoyable for both the dog and the child. I find that dogs are very relaxing and stop me from worrying too much about school. However, if the dog doesn’t like classroom environments it could cause unnecessary stress for the dog which could turn on a child and bite. Unfortunately, dogs are occasionally put down for doing this: some children aren’t good at spotting a dog’s warning signs. Finally, some pupils and teachers could be allergic to dogs and wouldn’t be able to be in the classroom while the dog is there.

lilywpink · 5 years ago

third

catonclan · 5 years ago

Yes especially during exams because pupil most commonly in senior school get very stressed out about exam. It is proven that dogs have the ability to calm people. Personally I think it would also mean peoples exam scores because they will be more relaxed when they go into exams.

panda11 · 5 years ago

Hi

I think dogs could be used as the can be used for therapy yet the also shouldn't as some children could be scared of dogs not wanting to be near it. In that case, that wouldn't be helping with therapy, it would be going against it!!

oceancraze · 5 years ago

I don't see anyone voting or posting comments since my last comment

ijm · 5 years ago

Yes because dogs are excellent at keeping our mental health well.

spacegirlg · 5 years ago

Yes, but if children/ adults are allergic schools should try to find a different way to improve children’s wellbeing. No school should be just focused on education.

zerotooth · 5 years ago

Therapy dogs are very important for people who have fits and other stuff if they have a fit in a corridor and noes around but the dog the dog will bark and maybe save their life

super5tar · 5 years ago

Maybe, because if it inproves people's mental health and stress, that is good especially if nowadays more and more people and children are stressed. However, if it doesn't help dogs,causes distraction in the classroom or makes too much noise, that is not a helpful and makes matters worse

drduck · 5 years ago

Third!

hc-524219 · 5 years ago

School’s should definitely have therapy dogs in a way to relieve stress for the students. However, some children might not really like dogs in their school since they don’t like them. For me, I think that schools should only have one dog in one room so that during the end of the day or during play time, students could go to the dog’s room and spend some time with it.

lollipop33 · 5 years ago

What? Have dogs in schools? HAVE YOU GONE MAD? Dogs will always attract too much attention and just cause a huge commotion.

lollipop33 · 5 years ago

Dogs in schools will attract too much attention and cause commotion between pupils if they are very young.

marla_cat · 5 years ago

having a dog in the classroom would not be very healthy for the dog, and very distracting for the pupils

debois999 · 5 years ago

It would help me so much

ninjakiwi · 5 years ago

Third!

v_venkie · 5 years ago

I think we should have dogs in school because they are cute and it can sometimes help people when doing their work like it can improve mental health, concentrating etc. From Smrithi.

shan8893 · 5 years ago

I think it's a great idea

sambrophy · 5 years ago

I disagree because the pupils who are not in a moment of stress may get distracted from their learning.

tvbin · 5 years ago

I think only high schoolers should have dogs because if the dogs were in a primary school the dogs could get quite overwhelmed with young children

zebra10 · 5 years ago

Yes and no because I love dogs and do not have one at home so it would be nice however some people are allergic

xxowlxx · 5 years ago

Yes, but there would be a separate room, perhaps with dog toys and all the necessities for a happy dog, and your parents/guardian would sign to say you could visit the dogs if you are stressed as they are beneficial for mental health. Maybe a teacher owns the dog/s so they get walked etc.

toffeeguy · 5 years ago

I love dogs but i cant have pets at home becase i have a bro who has asthma

aquaman08 · 5 years ago

We should have therapy dogs especially year 6 because when we do Sat's we're going to get stressed out and therapy dogs would calm us down

endodragon · 5 years ago

yes it is a goood idea

luciemay · 5 years ago

We have a therapy dog at my school that we use for many things including anxiety, if you have worked hard, and learning how to be responsible. I feel it is useful to have them as they teach lots of valuable lessons. If we were given 'chocolate' as a reward for example, it would make more obese and diabetic problems.

bigbouille · 5 years ago

Yes because it has helped many students BUT under the condition that the dogs are owned by other people and are not permanently at the school.

everest007 · 5 years ago

There are dogs that people can't be allergic to. Maybe if we had them in school it would be a calmer happier place.

Aishah22 · 5 years ago

It will help people to keep calm and
EVERYONE LOVES DOGS
ESPECIALLY PUPPIES

avopanda · 5 years ago

I definitely think that all schools should have therapy dogs because they are trained to help people and children with depression and anxiety+dogs really help calm me down

finbob207 · 5 years ago

I don't like dogs.

ruby_roo · 5 years ago

Oh yes! It would help children who struggle because dogs are so friendly. It would also give the kids who feel alone feel better because there would be someone there for them.

dotmatilda · 5 years ago

They should have therapy dogs as they would make you feel so much more relaxed. On the other hand, lots of people have allergies or phobias of dogs.

orangeplum · 5 years ago

dogs can bite people
i don't want to get tetanus

orangeplum · 5 years ago

but i hope it bites my little, stupid brother

munchie26 · 5 years ago

I like dogs??? they are really fun to play with and would love to have a class one because I don’t own one myself

wolflife · 5 years ago

Therapy dogs would be fun to have and would be great mental support.

wolflife · 5 years ago

Also they teach people how to take care of pets.???☺️

icebear888 · 5 years ago

I think yes and no, as it could be good for some students that like dogs but some people are allergic or are scared/dislike dogs.

arty_em · 5 years ago

I think this could really help children in schools and colleges like myself as from personal experiences I find animals easier to interact with. This could be a breakthrough to help children with depression and anxiety.

tiger-786 · 5 years ago

Dogs should be keepen. Pets make people comfortable.

sandwichbo · 5 years ago

100% yes

sandwichbo · 5 years ago

Sooo cute

rainbowa · 5 years ago

should do

lucky810 · 5 years ago

yes because kids get freindlier

booboop · 5 years ago

I think they should because if for example children are in exams or just stressed on their homework or something dogs and other animals help the children to be chilled and not stressed

dog_lover2 · 5 years ago

I think yes because I LOVE DOGS! They also help you if you are stressed and stuff. Also they are super cute. But if some people have asthma in a class, like mine, it probably wouldn't be a good idea.

ninjapug · 5 years ago

of course.

asbml · 5 years ago

Yes yes yes yes!!???(I LOOOOOOVE animals SOOOO MUCH x22222222)

john28 · 5 years ago

YES!!!!!! BRING ON THE DOGS

yellowbee · 5 years ago

I support this. A therapy dog was brought in to my school and you could sign up to see it in a quiet room with one other person of your choice. As a sufferer of severe depression, amongst other things, I was a little nervous at first as I have been chased by a dog before, but he calmed me down and left me feeling happier than I have in a long time. I think it would be good to have it as an option, and to wash your hands before and after, so that people who are afraid of/are allergic to them do not have to see them or interact with them.

ballet2006 · 5 years ago

YES

vegananime · 5 years ago

no, as it would just distract the children. also, what about those with fears/allergies! you cant be fair to everyone, but everyone just voted yes so they could have a dog at school, not for therapy. say you were studying for your GCSEs, then anyone SENSIBLE (who voted no) would just get distracted. IT'S TIME TO START THINKING SERIOUSLY ABOUT YOUR FUTURES! (no hate sorry this is just my view ^^')

eviehr · 5 years ago

66 th

5honypony · 5 years ago

I think yes. Dogs can help children who are worried, scared or sad. We have a school dog who helps the younger children with reading out loud when they are scared. As for allergies, you can get hypo-allergenic dogs

katkid10 · 4 years ago

5 people in my class are allergic to dog hair...