Rowan UniversityRowan University Rowan Digital WorksRowan Digital Works Theses and Dissertations 6-13-2017 The effect of therapy dogs on children in a learning environmentThe effect of therapy dogs on children in a learning environment Kimberly Ann Sheckler Rowan University Follow this and additional works at:Part of theSchool Psychology Commons Recommended CitationRecommended Citation Sheckler, Kimberly Ann, "The effect of therapy dogs on children in a learning environment" (2017).Theses and Dissertations. 2441. This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by Rowan Digital Works. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Rowan Digital Works. For more information, please contact[email protected].
THE EFFECT OF THERAPY DOGS ON CHILDREN IN A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT by Kimberly Ann Sheckler A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Psychology College of Science and Mathematics In partial fulfillment of the requirement For the degree of Master of Arts in School Psychology at Rowan University April 7, 2017 Thesis Chair: Roberta, Dihoff, Ph.D.
©2017Kimberly A. Sheckler
Dedications I dedicate my manuscript to my loving family, friends, and Landmark Americana for providing me with never ending support and motivation during this journey.
ivAcknowledgments Many thanks to Dr. Roberta Dihoff and Alicia Clendaniel for their continued guidance and assistance throughout this research project.
vAbstract Kimberly A. Sheckler THE EFFECT OF THERAPY DOGS ON CHILDREN IN A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT 2016-2017 Roberta Dihoff, Ph.D. Master of Arts in School Psychology Having a dog in school can seem exciting for many students, but can these furry companions actually help students attain higher levels of academic success? The benefits of therapy dogs in an educational setting can be seen in many research studies. Dogs in the classroom can be used to calm fears, relieve anxiety, and teach skills to students (Lessons Learned from Dogs in the Classroom, 1996). Even though there is much evidence of the positive benefits of therapy dogs in a school, many schools still choice not to have therapy dog programs. This thesis looks at the benefits of therapy dogs as well as the risks of having them in a school. I created a short survey that could be answered by whoever has the most involvement with the dog therapy program in school, whichcan help provide answers to the positives and negatives of the dogs. Preliminary data from the ten different school districts surveyed will be discussed. My thesis will help provide evidence if the dogs actually do help students achieve better academically and asses the risks of having a dog in a school can bring.
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