Therapy dogs have proven to help students develop social skills, regulate emotions, and adjust to being in a school and classroom environment. Accelerated Schools’ goal is to have a therapy dog at school every day, and to this end has developed a Therapy Dog Program. Interested staff can apply with administration to enroll their dog.

Dogs must meet the following criteria to become an ASOP therapy dog:

• Graduate from a basic obedience class.

• Pass the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizenship test.

• Pass the Handler Training Course and in-person Team Evaluation through Pet Partners of Kansas City, and complete all other requirements (e.g., animal health screening and handler background check) to become a Pet Partners registered therapy animal team.

Meet the dogs enrolled in ASOP’s Therapy Dog Program here.

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