For the last two to three years at San Marcos High School we have had the pleasure of the Therapy Dogs of America Program visiting our campus, bringing their four-legged volunteers in support of the student body during the stressful finals week. Originally, the program was named Therapy Dogs of Santa Barbara, solely operating in Santa Barbara, but in April of 2025 they started expanding all across the West coast and even the East coast. The organization was founded in 1997 by Karen Lee Stevens, a former Executive Director of the Therapy Dogs of Santa Barbara. Lee Stevens later became the director of the Wellness Program to teach mindfulness in local schools as part of the Wag Well program.
Lee Stevens started the Wag Well program in 2018 because she believed that teaching mindfulness, social emotional learning, and self-care practices to students of all ages is important. With the therapy dogs’ unconditional love for the students it is really easy to succeed in promoting these ideas towards the students. Since 2018, she and other instructors have taught more than 3,000 people the skills needed to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
On top of the Wag Well program the Therapy Dogs of America has the ARF! program. ARF! stands for Animals+Reading=Fun! ARF is an innovative literacy program designed for students to have opportunities to improve reading skills. The students read books to the therapy dogs and because dogs are nonjudgmental it becomes a positive experience for both sides. The dogs get to feel included and appreciated and the child gains a positive view on reading. Moreover, the presence of a dog alone can create a calming effect and decrease stress for the student.
On top of all the therapy dogs and programs the Therapy Dogs of America provides it also writes and publishes children reading books. The books are made to promote emotional management for children. One book that was written by Lee Stevens is Little Ruby’s Big Dream, a book about a nervous puppy who has to learn to overcome anxiety to achieve her dream of becoming a therapy dog. This book inspires young readers to embrace their unique qualities and believe in themselves.
When asked about the program this is what one of the instructors had to say:
“It is such a high when you can share your dog and you give so much to someone else. Especially when they are stressed out so we go to schools like this during finals. We also go to airports! We let people pet and chill with them and the instructors stand in the back so the dogs can get all the attention. Seeing families come up, and they’re just so thankful to see the dogs makes me feel like I’m contributing to my community.”
The goal of the Therapy Dogs of America is to support the mental well-being of students and adults. If you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or just want to see some adorable dogs, make sure to get involved in one of their programs this year!
