Paws With a Purpose

Start a Therapy Dog Program in Your School (Step-by-Step Guide)

Based on real experience building therapy dog programs at two schools

🐾 This book is for you if:

✔ You want to start a therapy dog program but don’t know where to begin

✔ You need help getting approval from your school

✔ You want real examples, forms, and guidance

✔ You want to do it the right way

This book gives educators a clear, real-world roadmap—from getting approval to building a therapy dog program that actually works in a school setting.

Inside this book, you’ll learn:

• How to get approval from your school

• What your dog needs before entering a school

• How to structure visits and routines

• How to handle challenges and concerns

• How to build a sustainable program

Not ready to dive in just yet? Not sure where to start?

Grab the free checklist first.

“It will be hard. It will be beautiful. It will be worth every bit of it”

from Paws With a Purpose

New to therapy dog programs? Start here with the free checklist.

Cover photography by Manuel Lora