Spring Valley High School is taking an innovative step to support its students’ mental health by introducing a therapy dog, a french bulldog named Zero, to its campus! Starting next week, Zero will be available to students during designated times in the school’s counseling office and during lunch, providing a calming presence and emotional support to students in need.

The decision to bring a therapy dog to Spring Valley comes in response to rising concerns about student mental health and stress, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic. Assistant Principal Lisa Ancona said the initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure that students have access to multiple resources to manage their well-being.

“I feel like it’s really hard to be, you know, angry when there’s just like a cute little dog around,” Ancona said.

Therapy dogs have been shown to provide numerous psychological and emotional benefits, especially for teenagers. According to research, interaction with a therapy dog can reduce anxiety, alleviate symptoms of depression, and even lower blood pressure. For high school students, who often juggle academic stress, extracurricular activities, and social dynamics, the presence of a therapy dog can be a grounding and comforting experience.

“I think that having a therapy dog, any therapy dog at a school, is beneficial in the sense that it provides happiness for most people. Whether it’s dogs or cats or horses, they’re happy to see them”

In addition to mental health benefits, therapy dogs can also help improve attendance and overall school climate. Studies suggest that schools with therapy dogs often report higher levels of student engagement and a more positive emotional environment. When students feel emotionally supported, they are more likely to focus on their studies and participate in school activities.

The school plans to evaluate the impact of the therapy dog over the next year, but early signs are promising. This introduction of Zero can potentially pave the way for more therapy dogs to be introduced in the area at more Las Vegas schools.

Assistant Principal Ancona hopes Zero will become a beloved member of the Spring Valley community and that this initiative will remind students that their mental health matters just as much as their academic success. “I’m hoping, as he’s here more often, to incorporate him into, like, classrooms,” Ancona said. “I was out during the passing period with him, and a student came over and was like, Hey, we’re about to have a test in Miss Jacob’s room. Can you come by for like, a minute beforehand and the kids want to see the dog? I was like, sure.”

With Zero making his debut, Spring Valley High School is on the path to creating a more supportive and nurturing environment for its students.