Empathic Paws
& K-12 Schools
Let’s connect.
“Empathic Paws will assist your organization throughout all stages, phases and beyond …”
-Dr. Jessica Maricevic
Commonly Asked Questions
Misconceptions lead to missed connections.
-Dr. Jessica Maricevic
Let Empathic Paws …
assist in the implementation of animal-assisted therapies in your school.
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 the guidance of Dr. Maricevic, Empathic Paws will collaboratively develop a researched-based plan for implementing a therapy dog program, specific to your school’s needs, and may include, but are not limited to:
Implementation
School-Based Crisis Preparedness & Response
School Culture & Learning Environment
Social-Emotional Learning & Social-Emotional Competency Development
Implementation Considerations 
Social-Emotional Learning & Social-Emotional Competency Development 
School-Based Crisis Preparedness & Response
Our Empathic Commitment: Education Initiatives
Operation
Empathic Paws
“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 stakeholders.
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 school candidacy considerations and other ways to support OEP! Complete the form below:
Empathic Paws 