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North Penn reviews therapy‑dog program, weighs outside contracting to expand coverage
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Summary
Administrators described a 2022 therapy‑dog policy and current use by counselors; staff cautioned against converting educators' workplaces into general pet zones and recommended contracting with an outside provider and publishing schedules so students can access the service.
Mr. Roan told the Safe Schools Committee the district adopted a therapy‑dog policy in August 2022 with an administrative regulation that sets training, certification, vaccination and handler responsibilities. "One of those responsibilities is actually as a handler holding the leash of the dog at all times," he said, underscoring limits on which staff members can act as handlers.
Dr. Waters and Mr. Roan described how counselors such as Trish Paikou and Tracy Schafer use dogs (popularly "Mario") for social‑emotional learning and to support Trauma Emergency Response Team (TERT) work after critical incidents. Dr. Waters said therapy dogs have "made a lot of people smile" and cited examples where dogs comforted students after a staff member death.
Dr. Bauer cautioned the committee that therapy dogs are a service for students, not an opportunity for all staff to bring personal pets to work. "A therapy dog is a service... but most of our employees are being paid to do something else," he said, arguing the district should preserve instruction time and consider external providers who can schedule visits.
A student representative said dogs are helpful but hard to locate and recommended a published schedule or an app so students know when and where dogs will be available. Administrators said they are exploring contracting with outside agencies to expand coverage and create a predictable schedule for schools.
The committee discussed limits on staff handlers, risk management considerations, and next steps for piloting broader access while preserving the policy's safeguards.
