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Bill

A 1165

Establishes pilot program in DOE to use therapy dogs in public elementary school wellness programs.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Rosy Bagolie and 4 co-sponsors

New Jersey pilot program introduces trained therapy dogs to elementary schools to support student wellness and mental health outcomes.

Reported and Referred to Assembly Education Committee
#animals #edhealth #schboards
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Bill Summary · A 1165

Legislative bill overview

Bill A 1165 establishes a pilot program within the New Jersey Department of Education to introduce therapy dogs into public elementary schools as part of student wellness initiatives. The program would allow selected schools to incorporate trained therapy dogs to support student mental health, stress reduction, and overall well-being during the school day.

Why is this important

Student mental health and anxiety have become increasingly recognized concerns in public schools, with many educators and health professionals viewing animal-assisted therapy as a potentially cost-effective intervention. A pilot program allows the state to gather data on effectiveness, costs, and implementation feasibility before potential wider adoption, while addressing growing demand for non-pharmaceutical wellness tools in schools.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and funding: The bill does not specify funding mechanisms or budget allocations for acquiring, training, and maintaining therapy dogs across pilot schools, raising questions about implementation costs and whether existing school budgets would absorb expenses
  • Liability and safety concerns: Schools may face questions about liability insurance, allergies among students/staff, dog handler qualifications, and protocols for incidents involving the animals
  • Evidence of efficacy: While therapy dog programs show promise, peer-reviewed evidence on long-term outcomes in school settings is still developing; some may argue funds should prioritize established mental health interventions like counseling services

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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