This grant will train and pay additional Wag Well instructors, to reach double the number of students in Transitional Kindergarten through 5th grade classrooms.
Local teachers and principals report elevated anxiety and mental health concerns among students and staff, and requests for Wag Well outpace current capacity. Therapy Dogs has agreements with all the local school districts to teach the four-week, flagship Wag Well program in 22 elementary schools with potential to reach more than 4,000 students.
Wag Well has a roster of 60+ certified therapy dog teams that work alongside instructors to teach students and teachers stress-reducing skills through guided breathing exercises, gratitude, and mindfulness practices.
The presence of a calm, trained therapy dog lowers stress and creates a sense of safety, helping students feel open, present, and willing to engage. As students breathe slowly, gently pet the dog, and notice the dog’s relaxed body, they experience a sense of calm and well-being.
