Animal-Assisted Therapy or Activities? Key Insights for Schools

Schools across Northern Illinois are embracing the benefits of therapy animals. From reducing student stress to promoting social engagement, therapy dogs bring joy and motivation to students. At TheraPets.org, we understand that today’s school programs have shifted: funding limits and scheduling constraints have led to hybrid models, combining structured Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) with broader Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA) in group settings.

This approach ensures that more students can benefit while maintaining realistic, school-friendly programs. By combining therapy goals with flexible group activities, schools can deliver meaningful experiences without overextending their staff or resources. At TheraPets.org, we sustain these hybrid therapy programs through the sale of custom apparel like therapy dog hoodies and tie-dye graphic hoodies—every purchase directly funds group-based classroom sessions

Understanding AAT vs. AAA

Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT):
AAT refers to structured, goal-oriented sessions led by licensed professionals, such as occupational therapists or counselors. These sessions target specific student skills, including fine motor development, social communication, and emotional regulation. 

Each session is documented, and measurable progress is tracked. For example, a student working on handwriting may practice using a brush to groom a therapy dog, building fine motor skills while remaining engaged in a fun and motivating activity.

Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA):
AAA refers to less formal, group-focused activities that aim to enhance overall well-being and foster a positive school culture. Unlike AAT, AAA is not tied to specific clinical goals or IEP documentation, but it still provides significant benefits. 

For instance, therapy dogs may visit classrooms during reading hours to motivate reluctant readers, or participate in school wellness events to reduce stress. These activities help students build confidence, encourage social interaction, and promote a sense of community, even if they do not involve direct therapy goals.

At TheraPets.org, our hybrid model combines AAT and AAA, allowing schools to implement flexible, realistic programs that accommodate limited classroom visits while maximizing student engagement. This ensures all students have access to the benefits of therapy animals, even within resource constraints.

Therapy Dogs in Schools: Group-Focused Benefits

Therapy dogs are highly effective in group-focused programs, where more students can benefit simultaneously. For example, during a guided activity, several students might work together to interact appropriately with a therapy dog. These social and sensorimotor interactions help students practice teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills while building confidence. In addition, therapy dogs provide emotional support, reducing anxiety and stress in the classroom and helping students feel safe and included.

Group-based therapy also allows schools to reach a broader population of students, making programs more sustainable and practical. While individual sessions may not be feasible due to staffing or funding limits, the group approach ensures that each child receives meaningful interaction with the therapy animals in a structured, yet enjoyable way.

Integrating Fundraising Through Custom Apparel

While therapy programs enhance student well-being, fundraising is vital to sustain these initiatives. TheraPets.org supports schools with a range of custom apparel options that help raise funds and build school spirit. Popular items include:

• Therapy dog hoodies by Gibson’s Funk Wear that feature fun designs of the therapy animals students interact with.
  
• Tie dye therapy dog hoodies, perfect for casual wear and school events.
  
• Tie dye dog graphic hoodies, which combine trendy styles with meaningful messaging about therapy programs.
  

These products not only generate revenue to fund therapy dog programs but also help raise awareness about the value of animal-assisted education. Every hoodie purchased contributes directly to maintaining and expanding therapy programs in schools, allowing more students to experience the benefits of animal-assisted interventions.

Practical Implementation in Schools

Therapy programs can be integrated into daily school life with minimal disruption. Schools can establish group reading sessions where therapy dogs sit alongside students, encouraging participation and improving focus. 

Occupational therapy-inspired activities, such as grooming or walking therapy dogs, can be conducted with small groups, making learning interactive and enjoyable. Quiet corners or “calm spaces” can be designated where students interact with therapy dogs to self-regulate before returning to larger group activities.

By designing activities that fit into the existing classroom schedule, schools can provide structured animal-assisted support while maintaining a smooth academic flow. This approach ensures that therapy animals enhance the learning environment rather than compete with it.

Why the Hybrid Model Works

The hybrid approach of combining AAT and AAA provides several advantages for schools:

• Scalable: Group-based sessions allow more students to participate without requiring additional staff resources.
  
• Realistic: Programs can be implemented within limited budgets and classroom schedules.
  
• Engaging: Students benefit from meaningful animal interactions while achieving educational and social goals.
  
• Funded: Revenue from custom apparel helps maintain and expand therapy programs, ensuring long-term sustainability.
  

This balance between structured therapy and enrichment activities ensures that schools can provide measurable benefits to students while keeping therapy dog programs practical and financially viable.

Conclusion

Therapy dogs in schools are no longer limited to clinical, one-on-one sessions. A hybrid approach of AAT and AAA allows group-based engagement and fosters a positive school culture. By combining therapy programs with fundraising through custom apparel, TheraPets.org helps schools maintain programs that are both effective and sustainable.

Support a school’s therapy programs today—explore therapy dog hoodies, tie dye therapy dog hoodies, and tie dye dog graphic hoodies at TheraPets.org to help fund hybrid programs and bring the benefits of animal-assisted learning to more students.