Therapy Dogs
Helping students and staff on campus.
Paws & Peers, in collaboration with East Valley K9’s Angel Dogs, trains therapy dogs for Mesa Public Schools campuses (Select schools only). Participating district staff and their dogs pass obedience and therapy classes and are independently tested and approved by an Animal Assisted Therapy evaluation. The goal of Paws & Peers is to provide a new way to incorporate lessons on social and emotional learning, resiliency, empathy and the human-animal bond for students and staff. Students also interact directly with the dogs for more individualized learning opportunities. These dogs may serve as a trusted companion in the classroom, counseling, health or administrative office for crisis intervention, behavioral de-escalation, or to address stress, anxiety and/or isolation.
If you do not want your student to participate in this curriculum or animal engagement, please visit this page for an opt-out form and return to the school office via email or drop off.
