Empathic Paws
& K-12 Schools
Empathic Paws & K-12 Schools
The Research
Dr. Jessica Maricevic’s (2022) qualitative research suggests the use of animal-assisted therapies, like the use of therapy dogs in secondary settings, benefits not only the adolescent learner, but the organization as a whole.
The Plan
Under Jessica’s guidance, Empathic Paws will collaboratively develop a researched-based plan for implementing an animal-assisted therapy and intervention program, like the integration of therapy dogs, to meet the identified needs of the learning organization. The Plan may include, but is not limited to:
Dismantling Misconceptions
School-Based Crisis Preparedness & Response
School Culture & Learning Environment
Social-Emotional Learning
Social-Emotional Competency Development
Let’s connect.
Operation Empathic Paws:
Our Empathic Commitment
“Socio-economic status should not determine whether an organization implements an animal-assisted therapy program.”
— Dr. Jessica Maricevic
Empathic Paws believes socio-economic status should not determine whether an organization implements an animal-assisted therapy program, like the use of therapy dogs in secondary schools, for the physical, mental or emotional benefit of students and stakeholders.
As with any initiative, there are cost factors, some of which are unanticipated. Those unanticipated factors, even if hypothesized during the early stages of the implementation process, may jeopardize the implementation process of a program, as well as the overall sustainability of the animal -assisted therapy program.
Operation Empathic Paws (OEP) aims to fully establish and support all components of the therapy dog implementation process for secondary schools with a high poverty designation (as determined by the National Center for Education Statistics), at no cost to the school.
Be the first to know about the launch of OEP, school candidacy considerations and other ways to support this important equity initiative! Complete the form below:
Empathic Paws 