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Sni-A-Bar Elementary

Every Student. Every Day.

PAWS Program: Meet Maddox the Therapy Dog

Maddox the Therapy dog sits in a classroom with students standing around him singing.
Maddox the Therapy Dog.
Maddox the Therapy dog sits as students pet him while outside.
Maddox stands in the gym while students pet him.
Maddox sits while students are in music class.

Partnering with Animals in Schools (PAWS)

What is a Therapy Dog? 

A therapy dog is a specially trained and certified dog that provides comfort, emotional support, and companionship in various settings, including schools. Unlike service dogs, which perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities, therapy dogs offer general emotional and social support to a broader group of people.

In a school setting, therapy dogs help students regulate their emotions, improve social skills, and engage more effectively in learning. All therapy dogs in the Grain Valley Schools’ School Therapy Dog Program must meet specific behavioral and training criteria to ensure they are well-suited for interaction with students and staff.

Bright Futures Grain Valley Logo

 

Maddox the Therapy Dog. Meet Maddox! 

Maddox is a whoodle (Wheaten Terrier/Poodle) and serves the Sni-A-Bar Elementary students and staff. 

When Maddox isn't supporting students in the music room, you will usually find him in his favorite spot, which is the office or outside at recess. At recess, Maddox loves to run around and roll in the grass.

Stay connected with Maddox’s adventures at Sni-A-Bar by following his Facebook page. 

Facebook

Grain Valley Schools PAWS Program

Emotional and Psychological Benefits 

  • Therapy dogs help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression among students.
  • They promote emotional regulation, helping students manage frustration, anger, or sadness.
  • The presence of a therapy dog can increase oxytocin (the "bonding hormone") while decreasing cortisol (the "stress hormone"), creating a calming effect in students.

Social and Behavioral Improvements

  • Therapy dogs help students build connections with peers, teachers, and other school staff.
  • They can reduce behavioral issues by encouraging empathy, patience, and respect.
  • Structured interactions with therapy dogs can support students with social difficulties, including those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or emotional disabilities (ED).

Academic Engagement and Motivation

  • Students may feel more comfortable and motivated to engage in schoolwork with a therapy dog present.
  • Reading programs with therapy dogs encourage reluctant readers to practice literacy skills in a non-judgmental setting.
  • Therapy dogs can be used as an incentive for academic participation and positive behavior reinforcement.

Trauma-Informed & Brain-Based Learning Connections

  • Students with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) or trauma histories benefit from predictable, calming interactions with therapy dogs.
  • Therapy dogs help regulate the nervous system, supporting students in transitioning from heightened emotional states to a more focused and engaged mindset.
  • Emotional safety is critical for learning; therapy dogs help create a school environment where students feel valued and supported.