Therapy Dog Integration in Comprehensive School Counseling Programs

Comprehensive school counseling programs (CSCPs) are consistently evolving to meet the changing needs of diverse student populations within an ASCA-driven framework. Professional school counselors, CACREP-led counselor educators, and researchers alike are leaning into creative modalities to discover innovative approaches that complement preexisting curriculum structures in educational settings. This conceptual project explores the use of animal assisted interventions (AAI), specifically collaboration with a certified therapy dog-handler team, to employ delivery services across the three primary domains of the ASCA National Model. We introduce an overview of the origin of AAI practices with youth. Synthesized and expansive research is presented for consideration of AAI in supporting academic, career, and social emotional well-being for all students as well. We also present a detailed case example and curriculum outline of an elementary friendship group involving a therapy dog-school counselor team. Lastly, we summarize suggestions for future research and practice of therapy dog counseling approaches, along with potential limitations and areas of further reflection for any program or district considering this novel advancement in supporting student needs.