TRENTON, N.J. — A proposal to study the impact of therapy dogs in New Jersey’s public elementary schools moved forward Monday after the Assembly Health Committee voted to advance a three-year pilot program.
The bill (A1165), sponsored by Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis, would direct the Department of Education to select six school districts — two from the northern, central and southern regions — to participate. The commissioner of education would issue guidance, and participating districts would incorporate therapy dogs into their student wellness programs.
“Many, many schools are already seeing the benefit of including therapy dogs in classrooms. From reduced stress to improved literacy rates, dogs have proven to help kids excel emotionally as well as academically,” Matsikoudis (R-Union) said. “My bill gives us a tool to study the reported benefits for New Jersey schoolchildren. My hope is that it gives more schools a roadmap on how to successfully implement similar programs for their students.”
Supporters of the legislation, including school districts that currently use therapy dogs, testified that the animals help students build confidence, reduce stress, improve behavior and enhance literacy by providing a judgment-free companion for reading. Therapy dogs have also been shown to ease anxiety for students with special needs, offering comfort and a sense of security.
Under the bill, the Department of Education would be required to submit a report to the governor and Legislature after the third school year evaluating how the program affected students’ academic performance and overall health outcomes.
The Senate passed its version of the legislation (S1253) unanimously in January.
