Therapy Dogs in School

  • Support

    Hope's Therapy Dogs make a tangible impact – Our Therapy Dogs thrive in Primary and Secondary school environments, offering 2-hour sessions tailored to specific needs. Our team comprises of qualified Teachers, Counsellors and Thrive Practitioners, adept at working with children in mainstream as well as SEMH/SEND settings.

  • Tailored

    Hope's Therapy Dogs provides a spectrum of support, therapies, and customised solutions designed to align seamlessly with the unique needs of each school. We recognise that schools possess an intimate understanding of their students, and our services are tailored to complement this firsthand knowledge.

At our organisation, we are deeply passionate about the wellbeing of our therapy dogs and all dogs that work in educational environments. Their care, respect, and overall wellbeing are always our top priorities. We believe that happy, healthy dogs are essential to creating safe and supportive spaces for the children and staff they interact with. If your school is considering introducing a dog into your educational setting, we would love to have a conversation with you to discuss how we can help. Our aim is to ensure the highest level of care for the dogs, while also supporting the children they work with and the staff involved, creating a positive and enriching experience for everyone.

What Happens in Our Sessions?

Take a look at just some of the things our dogs do in their sessions as they work their magic to help and support the children and young people that they work with.

“When I’m with dogs I stop worrying. Pippa stops me worrying.”
— Child previously struggled with school attendance due to anxiety. Has attended consistently since starting work with Pippa.
“I love spending time with Lola! She makes me laugh and feel calm, and I know I can always trust her.”
— Child who was experiencing high anxiety
“I felt sad and scared when I first did dog therapy, but now I’m not.”
— Child who was struggling with domestic violence
“I like playing with Pippa and talking to someone about feelings I can’t talk to anyone else about.”
— Child who was struggling to overcome trauma
“If it wasn’t for seeing Saffy today, I’d be crying.”
— Child who is learning how to recognise and talk about their feelings
“We couldn’t recommend Hope’s Therapy Dog’s enough. Highly trained dogs and an excellent therapist providing much needed affection, comfort and support to the children at our school.
Our children have really benefitted from Hope’s Therapy Dogs, they look forward to their sessions and come back calm, relaxed and happy. We have seen vast improvements in the mental health and wellbeing of the participating children.”
— Wendy McKinnon (headteacher) and Rachel Fairhurst (pastoral lead) St Andrews primary school Warrington
“Catherine and Lola have worked with pupils in our school that wouldn’t usually be able to access support due to the severity of the needs of other pupils making our ‘waiting list’ too long. However since bringing in Hope’s Therapy Dogs we have been able to give support to children who need support due to bereavement, anxiety, family breakdown or transition worries.

There has been a notable change in the confidence and happiness of every one of these pupils. A highlight of my week is when the pupils walk along the corridor past my office holding Lola’s lead and interacting with Catherine. I watch them grow in confidence as the weeks progress. I see them change in their interactions and note how much value each session has for each child whatever their own needs.

One family in particular has benefitted greatly from the interaction with Catherine and Lola. Historically a very hard to reach family, unwilling to engage with external services and the children usually very guarded around adults. I now see happy, engaged children who are thriving at home and in school due to the chance to engage with Hope’s Therapy dogs.”
— Headteacher – St Joseph the Worker Catholic Primary School
“Hope’s Therapy Dogs have provided invaluable support for our pupils’ mental health and wellbeing. The children’s faces light up when they see Ali with Pippa, Stella or Elsa. The children know they are in a safe place when they spend time with the dogs and are able to relax, talk and take comfort from them. It really has been a pleasure to work with Alison and her amazing therapy dogs.”
— Mrs Lou McCallion Deputy Headteacher/Inclusion Manager Thatto Heath CPS
“Ali and her therapy dogs, Pippa, Stella and Elsa have been coming into Northwood Community Primary School for the last 2 years and are very much part of our school community. Ali and her dogs have taken part in whole school assemblies, worked in classes and worked 1-1 with many children. The dogs are so well trained and obedient and Ali is a highly skilled therapist who knows the needs of all of the children she works with. The impact has been incredible and the children and staff look forward to them coming in twice a week.”
— Sarah Murphy Headteacher Northwood Community Primary School
“I just wanted to send a quick message to highlight how amazing Sarah is... and not forgetting Saffy of course! We are all so grateful for the work that Sarah and Saffy do and the difference they make. Sarah is like having a friend pop into the office too, absolutely lovely!”
— Designated Safeguarding Lead Anfield Road Primary School

  • We recently appeared on BBC North West News to talk about our work in the build up of the BBC Make A Difference Awards. Read more here!

  • We are currently in our third year working with Alt Bridge School. Take a look at their website here to find out a bit more about us and our therapeutic support work there!

  • We were featured in The Wigan Today after being highly commended at the BIBAs, the business awards run by North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce in September 2023. Read about our story and impact across North West Schools here.

  • We were featured in the St Helens Star, read more here to find out more about our starting point and our amazing impact in schools.

  • We recently featured in the Warrington Guardian after winning the Animal Award through the BBC Make A Difference Awards. Read more here!