Why Should Canine Assisted Therapy Improves Elementary Scores

Introduction Every single year, millions of children test below state and national education standards. The relationship developed between humans and animals in an educational setting prove to be beneficial in emotional stability and goal-oriented support. The animals provide an environment that is judgement free, as well as, encouraging and supportive. Research has proven that animal assisted therapy, overall, reduces blood pressure, heart rate and reduction of stress-related hormones.2,4 The dogs used in Animal Assisted Therapy are certified through various National Organizations and have a predetermined number of location visits prior to receiving certification. The research that has been conducted shows a significant correlation of elementary students between improved reading letter grade and time spent reading to an animal assisted therapy dog. The purpose of this study is to determine if canine assisted therapy improves elementary scores in all subject matter. Where is the need According to the Wisconsin Information System for Education, in the 2014-2015 school year, grades 3-8, scored at only 43.7% proficient in math.6 Therefore, over 50% of children in grades 3-8 are not at a proficient math level. In Sparta, Wisconsin, the Dynamic Learning Maps test, consisting of science, language and math, recorded 54.9% of elementary students were not proficient.6 There is a need to examine outlying factors that are impacting elementary children and the classroom atmosphere.Show MoreRelated_x000C_Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis355457 Words   |  1422 Pagesteaching award from Cal Poly and is a Fellow of the American Statistical Association. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, cooking and eating good food, tennis, and travel to faraway places. He is especially proud of his wife, Carol, a retired elementary school teacher, his daughter Allison, who works for the Center for Women and Excellence in Boston, and his daughter Teri, who is ï ¬ nishing a graduate progr am in education at NYU. ROXY PECK is Associate Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics