TJ’s PTSA Health and Wellness committee and TJHSST’s Student Services provide students with an opportunity to interact with a well-trained therapy dog, sponsored by People. Animals. Love. (PALs), each month.
Research shows that interactions with pets in an educational setting elevates “dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin levels. These are the “feel good” chemicals our brains release that improve mood and affect happiness.” The therapy dog visits help TJ students take a break from their studies to pet/interact with a calming dog.
The past two months, the visiting therapy dog was Charlie, the opera-singing dog, and his owner, a previous TJ Spanish teacher. Charlie is a popular visitor and is always eager to do his job getting pets and scritches from many students.
On November 20th, a pet therapy dog from PAL (People. Animals. Love) will be back visiting TJ!
We need parent/guardian volunteers to help escort the dog and handler. Please consider volunteering for one of the available slots. Sign up here to help out – there are slots available throughout the year.
Questions? Contact TJPTSA Pet Therapy Program Volunteer Coordinators. Contact information is available on This Week @ TJ Newsletter – 11 Nov 2024.