How often do we lecture students on respect, just to see them provoke another student an hour later? Supplement your school lessons with canine-assisted classroom lessons that give students opportunities to practice skills in real time, in a fun, memorable way. Topics that emerge when classrooms meet Archie include: respect, verbal and non-verbal communication, self-regulation, goal setting, teamwork, and flexibility.

As school counselors, we do our best to support our tier 2 students. After weeks of meeting, add a hands-on opportunity for students to practice their skills. Students remember how to quiet their bodies when a small pup needs to be comforted. They evaluate their behavior when the dog backs away or performs the wrong trick. Did their tone or body movement impact him? Simple interactions lead to important conversations about how our behavior effects others. And best of all: students remember their discoveries.

Sometimes we need a bit more. Schedule time for individual students to participate in animal-assisted play therapy. Build empathy, ease anxiety, improve communication, and promote executive functioning with one-on-one sessions with Archie and Ms. Hamberg. (Don’t worry about age, even adults play in their own way.)