Howard Schools Embrace Therapy Dogs for Enhanced Student Support

Howard County Public Schools have introduced therapy dogs into their facilities, partnering with the nonprofit organization Fidos For Freedom. This initiative aims to provide emotional support to students and staff, with therapy dogs visiting schools on a regular basis. The program addresses the needs of students who may feel more comfortable interacting with animals than adults, particularly during challenging times.

JT Ridgely, manager of the Crisis Teams for Howard County Public Schools, noted the significance of these four-legged companions. “Some students may not feel comfortable coming down and talking to an adult or meeting with a student, but they feel very comfortable petting a dog or talking to a dog,” he explained. This interaction offers a unique avenue for students to access coping mechanisms and find comfort.

The program is co-directed by Fran Glavan, who, along with her team of volunteers, visits various schools each week. The therapy dogs, which include both new and seasoned participants, are present in schools not only for routine visits but also in the aftermath of crises. Glavan recounted a moment when a student expressed that the dogs were the only reason he attended school that day. “If I made you smile, we did our job,” she stated, emphasizing the program’s mission to uplift students.

The therapy dogs are pets of volunteers who undergo rigorous training to ensure they are well-prepared for interactions with students and staff. Fidos For Freedom has been operating in Howard County schools for over 20 years, initially starting at Cedar Lane School, a facility for students with disabilities. The organization has expanded its reach significantly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, receiving an influx of requests for support.

In a notable incident in January 2023, Glavan and her team faced a setback when they were denied access to Howard High School due to an outdated policy prohibiting therapy dogs. This policy, issued three years prior by a former chief operating officer, was not reflective of the current partnership. Following this incident, Glavan advocated for a revised therapy dog policy during a school board meeting on January 30, 2023, leading to a newly signed agreement that formalizes the partnership between the organization and the school system.

The need for diverse crisis response options is critical as individuals respond differently to traumatic events. Ridgely highlighted this necessity, explaining that the therapy dogs serve as an additional resource within the school system’s crisis response plan. The district employs a comprehensive crisis management strategy, which includes a team of 60 school psychologists, counselors, and social workers to support students and staff in need.

Research indicates that schools with well-structured crisis plans perform better when unexpected events occur. Howard County’s approach includes a district-level crisis team that collaborates with school-level staff to assess impacts and determine necessary support for affected individuals. Ridgely noted, “Even when there’s a traumatic event that may impact a large number of people in the school community, it typically doesn’t impact everybody the same.”

Options for crisis response can vary widely, from information dissemination about an event to individual counseling, card-making activities, and, now, therapy dogs. Ensuring that parents are informed about incidents is also a core component of the response strategy, with counselors reaching out to guardians when students seek individual support.

As schools adapt to the growing demand for mental health resources, the integration of therapy dogs into daily routines demonstrates a commitment to fostering a supportive environment. This initiative not only provides comfort but also emphasizes the importance of resilience and diverse coping strategies for students navigating difficult experiences.