Therapy Dogs in Schools

An Evidence-Based Protocol for Best Practice

Therapy Dogs in Schools: An Evidence-Based Protocol for Best Practice outlines the Professional Application of Therapy Dogs in Schools (PATS) protocol. The PATS protocol provides K–12 school professionals with a structured sequence for planning, implementing, and evaluating a school-based therapy dog program that ensures community safety, attends to animal welfare, and maximizes program impact. Therapy dog program goals include improved emotional, behavioral, and academic outcomes and promoting a positive school culture. Leading researchers in the field of animal-assisted interventions and services cite the critical need for this type of protocol, especially as the number of dogs in schools has risen dramatically in the last decade.

The PATS protocol is the first evidence-based guide to provide administrators, staff, and therapy dog handlers with tools to plan, implement, and evaluate a school-based therapy dog program. Currently, there are no laws governing the incorporation of therapy dogs in schools. The PATS protocol has the potential to increase the professionalism of therapy dog program implementation by addressing school safety, ensuring canine welfare, and maximizing program outcomes. This book is for school professionals and volunteers alike, to identify how to maintain a therapy dog program and how to support the school community when it is time to retire a therapy dog.

UK Delivery:

• Free delivery on all orders of £10 or more.
• £1.49 delivery fee on orders below £10.
• UK orders are shipped via Royal Mail 2nd Class.

International Delivery:

• Flat rate delivery charges vary by country.

Dispatch and Delivery Times:

• All orders are shipped from our warehouse in Northampton, UK within 48 hours of receipt during working hours.
• UK mainland orders typically arrive within 3-5 working days via Royal Mail 2nd Class.
• International estimated delivery times:
• Europe & Channel Islands: 7 to 10 working days
• USA: 7 to 15 working days
• Rest of the World: 9 to 21 working days

View our full delivery infomation here.