The use of dogs in California public schools: current use, support for, potential concerns and educator familiarity with potential benefits

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the current use of dogs in California public schools, to determine the familiarity of various educators, in particular school psychologists and school counselors with pet facilitated therapy, to determine the support for pet facilitated therapy and to determine potential concerns of educators in implementing a pet facilitated therapy program in their school and/or district. A survey was sent to 560 guidance departments representing 388 districts and 154 counties in the state of California. A response rate of 14.9% was achieved. Of respondents surveyed, 17.5% of them currently use dogs in their school, while only 7.2% of respondents reported using dogs in a "therapeutic program." Additionally, 6.2% of respondents reported knowing of another school other than their own that currently use dogs in a therapeutic program. As a group, the two concerns rated most frequently as very important were legal issues and liability, and potential allergic reactions of students and staff. If all concerns were met, 92.8% of respondents reported they would be in favor of using dogs in their school or district.