Therapy Dog - Helping Students Reflect with Therapy Dogs 🐶💭

Helping Students Reflect with Therapy Dogs 🐶💭

There’s something special about the presence of a therapy dog in the classroom. Even the most restless students seem to relax. Some kids who rarely speak up suddenly open up. And for many, it’s the first time they’ve had a chance to experience the unconditional support that a dog offers.

But what if we took that experience and turned it into a learning moment?

That’s exactly what this reflection activity does.

It helps students think about what kindness means, why responsibility matters, and how their actions affect others—whether those others have two legs or four.

Why This Activity Feels Different

✔ It gets students thinking, not just answering.
It’s not about memorizing facts. It’s about pausing for a moment and reflecting on simple but meaningful questions.

✔ It connects emotions with actions.
Why do therapy dogs have rules? Why does kindness matter? These questions lead to unexpectedly deep discussions.

✔ It’s easy for any grade level.
Younger kids can draw their answers, while older students might write or discuss. No one feels left out.

✔ It works with or without a therapy dog.
Even if your school doesn’t have one, this still sparks conversations about empathy and responsibility.

✔ No prep required.
Just print it out, hand it to students, and let them think.

How I Use It in My Classroom

📌 First, we talk.
I ask, “How do animals teach us about kindness?” or “What do therapy dogs need from us?” The answers are never what I expect—and that’s the best part.

📌 Then, students reflect.
They complete a few simple but thoughtful prompts about their own behavior, their emotions, and what they’ve learned.

📌 Next, we share (if they want to).
I never make sharing mandatory. But I’m always surprised by how many students want to.

📌 Finally, we put up the poster.
It’s a small reminder that kindness and responsibility go beyond the classroom.

🐶 One more idea: If you have a therapy dog visit your class, have students read their reflections to the dog. You’d be amazed at how much more open and engaged they become!

What Other Teachers Have Said

✔ “I used this before our first therapy dog visit, and it made a huge difference in how students behaved around the dog.”
✔ “It’s simple but powerful. The class discussions that came from this were amazing.”
✔ “Perfect for social-emotional learning, even without a therapy dog!”

Why This Activity Sticks with Students

At the end of the day, this isn’t just another worksheet. It’s a way to help students slow down, think about their actions, and reflect on what really matters—whether that’s how they interact with a therapy dog, a classmate, or the world around them.

📥 Give it a try—you might be surprised by what your students come up with. 🐶✨

📍 Warmly,
Heike from Lernfitness

Did You Know?

I teach with a certified therapy dog, and together we create a positive and inspiring learning environment. 🐶✨