Therapy Dogs Benefits

Lesson Overview

This 45-minute lesson introduces Year 7 students to the benefits of therapy dogs in schools, encouraging them to describe these benefits and discuss other animals that could serve as therapy or visiting animals in educational settings. This lesson aligns with the Victorian Curriculum's Health and Physical Education, Science, and English capabilities, focusing on personal and social capability, scientific understanding of animals, and communication skills.

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Curriculum Alignment

Victorian Curriculum:

• Health and Physical Education (VCHPEP097)
  Investigate the impact of changes and transitions on identities, relationships, and their own and others' health and wellbeing, and propose and practise strategies to manage these challenges.
  Australian Curriculum code: AC9HP8P02

• Science (VCSSU070)
  Investigate how and why classification helps organise information about the diversity of living things, including animals used in therapy and their roles.
  Australian Curriculum code: AC9S7U01

• English (VCELY375, VCELY376)
  Develop listening, speaking, and discussion skills to explain ideas clearly and respond respectfully to others.
  Supports personal and social capability

• Personal and Social Capability
  Communicate effectively, work collaboratively and respectfully, and reflect on different viewpoints including those of peers and experts.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1. Describe at least three benefits that therapy dogs provide in schools, focusing on emotional, social, and cognitive wellbeing.
2. Discuss additional animals that could be used as therapy or visiting animals in schools, including reasons for their potential benefits.
3. Demonstrate listening and speaking skills through respectful discussion and sharing of ideas about therapy animals.
4. Understand basic scientific concepts around animal classification related to therapy animals.

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Resources Needed

• Whiteboard or smartboard
• Images or short video clips of therapy dogs and other therapy animals in schools
• Worksheet for group activity (includes sections for benefits and alternative animals)
• Materials for a simple classification activity (e.g., pictures or models of different animals)
• Pens and paper for notes and reflection

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Lesson Timing and Activities

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Teacher explains: What therapy dogs are and their role in schools.
• Show a short video clip or images demonstrating therapy dogs helping students.
• Link to the wellbeing benefits related to emotional support and learning focus as per Health and Physical Education standards (AC9HP8P02).

2. Exploring Benefits (10 minutes)

• Class discussion: Invite students to brainstorm and describe benefits therapy dogs provide in schools.
• Write responses on the whiteboard under categories: Emotional, Social, Cognitive.
• Teacher highlights key benefits such as calming stress, improving social interaction, and enhancing motivation to learn.

3. Scientific Exploration (10 minutes)

• Introduce the concept of animal classification (AC9S7U01).
• Present a simple activity where students classify a few selected animals, including therapy dogs and other potential therapy animals.
• Discuss why certain animals are suitable as therapy animals (temperament, size, intelligence).

4. Group Discussion Activity – Other Therapy Animals (15 minutes)

• In pairs or small groups of 2-3, students discuss and list other animals that could be therapy or visiting animals in schools.
• Groups consider and note reasons for their choices, guided by prompts such as temperament, ease of care, and benefits.
• Groups present their ideas briefly to the class, promoting discussion and respectful listening (VCELY375, VCELY376).

5. Reflection and Wrap-Up (5 minutes)

• Whole-class reflection on what was learned.
• Teacher recap on the benefits of therapy dogs and variety of animals that can contribute to wellbeing.
• Students complete a quick exit ticket: write one new benefit they learned and one animal they think could help at school.

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Assessment

• Formative Assessment: Observation of student contributions during discussions, relevance and thoughtfulness of their ideas about therapy animals.
• Exit Ticket: Assess understanding of benefits of therapy dogs and ability to suggest other appropriate animals.
• Science Understanding: Participation in classification activity to demonstrate recognition of characteristics that influence animal suitability.

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Differentiation & Inclusion

• Provide visual supports and sentence starters during discussions for students needing additional language support.
• Encourage all students to contribute ideas and respect diverse opinions.
• Include examples of different animals—including native Australian species—to connect with students' cultural knowledge.

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Extensions

• Students could research a chosen therapy or visiting animal and prepare a short presentation or poster.
• Invite a local therapy dog handler or animal worker to visit the class for a more hands-on experience.

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This lesson plan exemplifies the Victorian Curriculum's integration of personal wellbeing, scientific inquiry, and communication, designed for a small class of Year 7 students with a focus on developing empathy, understanding animals' role in health, and respectful discussion skills.

It blends theory and interaction, perfect for engaging learners in a meaningful and memorable way.