5th Annual RC SELPA Mental Health Symposium: Mental Health Matters

Desert Center Unified, a single-school district in Riverside County, California, has implemented a therapy dog program. This endeavor is now completing its second year, and we are seeing a significant positive impact on our elementary students. The initiative has enhanced emotional well-being, improved student engagement, and supported social development, creating a safe and nurturing environment for learning and growth.

Through this session, we aim to share the positive impact of our therapy dog program, providing participants with practical insights on how to implement similar initiatives in their own districts. Our desired outcomes include increasing awareness of the benefits of therapy animals in education, offering strategies for successful implementation, and inspiring educators and administrators to prioritize student mental health and well-being.