Barbara Vokatis

Research has shown that interactions with therapy dogs can enhance focus, attentiveness, engagement, and motivation and improve academic performance, such as in reading skills (Beetz, 2015). However, further incorporation of therapy dogs in simple but creative activities enhancing learning in a variety of subjects can contribute to learning even more. As an educator, author, and innovator in the area of dog therapy, I understand the profound impact that animal-assisted therapy can have on creating a positive and inclusive environment conducive to learning social and emotional skills and all subjects, including language arts and content areas such as math. In my presentation, I provide effective strategies for starting dog therapy and developing creative collaborations between teachers and therapy dog teams. I also provide examples of activities in which therapy dogs are incorporated to enhance learning social and emotional skills and achievement in subjects such as math and literacy.

In my presentation, I discuss the origins of my literacy/therapy dog lab, describe the heat features of my collaboration with an elementary school teacher, and provide effective strategies for developing creative collaborations between teachers and therapy dog teams. I also provide examples of activities in which therapy dogs are incorporated to enhance learning social and emotional skills and achievement in subjects such as math and literacy.