Therapy Dogs will be coming to the Poly campus on March 31! These trained dogs will help students relax, de-stress, and take a break from their busy schedules.

Last year, Student Government President and Polygon News Editor Reese Roaman ’25 had the idea to bring the company to campus. “I wanted to do something that would physically bring some joy to students on campus. Dogs are something that, from my experience, everyone loves, so I thought this was the perfect event to strive for.” Roaman presented the idea to Interim Head of School John Rankin, alongside the rest of Student Government. Rankin approved the idea shortly after. 

The organization that will be bringing the dogs is New York Therapy Dogs. The company is a nonprofit dedicated to integrating animal resources in hospitals, libraries, and schools to improve overall well-being. According to New York Therapy Animals’s website, these dogs are trained by licensed professionals and have hundreds of hours of experience serving children in hospitals and schools.

Therapy dogs are known for reducing stress and anxiety, boosting mood, and creating a positive atmosphere. According to Science Direct, over 55% of students who had experience with therapy dogs reported an increase in their well-being. Other schools and universities have successfully implemented similar programs, offering students a much-needed mental health boost.

Right after announcing the event, anticipation began to fill the halls. Junior Charlotte Kuchinad said, “Therapy dogs will make coming back from spring break a whole lot easier. There is no better way I can think of to reacclimate to school than playing with pups.”

Mark your calendars—therapy dogs will be arriving on March 31, the day after we return from spring break. Whether you’re a dog lover or just looking for a moment to unwind, this initiative is sure to bring some extra happiness to our school community this spring.