TRENTON, NJ – A new proposal in the New Jersey Legislature would launch a three-year pilot program bringing therapy dogs into public elementary schools to measure their impact on student wellness and academic performance.
The bill, sponsored by Assemblywomen Carol A. Murphy, Michele Matsikoudis, and Rosaura “Rosy” Bagolie, calls for the Department of Education to oversee the initiative and evaluate its effectiveness in improving attendance, confidence, motivation, and classroom engagement.
Under the measure, school districts interested in joining the pilot must apply to the commissioner of education, providing details on student enrollment, participation in existing wellness programs, and plans for integrating therapy dogs into daily activities.
Selected districts would come from northern, central, and southern New Jersey, with a mix of urban, suburban, and rural communities represented to ensure a broad assessment of outcomes.
Key Points
- A proposed three-year pilot program would place therapy dogs in elementary school wellness programs statewide.
- The Department of Education would select six districts to participate across New Jersey.
- A final report to the governor and legislature would evaluate the program’s impact on health and academic results.
Program details and implementation
The Department of Education would guide participating districts on how to structure therapy dog programs, including recommended handler training, evaluation methods for dog behavior, and insurance considerations for school property. The dogs, trained and registered to provide animal-assisted therapy, would be used in structured activities designed to promote social-emotional learning and literacy development.
By the end of the third school year, the education commissioner would be required to submit a report to the governor and legislature assessing the program’s effectiveness. The findings would help determine whether therapy dogs should become a permanent fixture in school wellness initiatives across the state.
If approved, New Jersey would join a growing number of states testing therapy animals as a means to support student mental health and academic growth in early education.
