Date of Award
8-14-2020
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Educational Leadership, Ed.D.
First Advisor
Joe Nichols
Second Advisor
Jacque Singleton
Committee Members
Cindy Nichols; Deborah Wammack; Jacque Singleton; Joe Nichols
Call Number
LD 251 .A566d 2020 B32
Abstract
This quantitative study explored the perceptions of therapy dog programs among K-4 teachers in Northeast Arkansas public school districts. The purpose of this study was to determine perceptions of therapy dog programs among K-4 educators in Northeast Arkansas public school districts. This study also reviewed literature associated with certification, training of handlers, and policy changes to bring to light the preventative measures available to administrators, faculty, and staff to eliminate negative perceptions toward therapy dog programs. The design method chosen for this was a regional survey of K-4 teachers in Northeast Arkansas whose districts were members of Crowley’s Ridge or Northeast Arkansas Education Cooperative (NEA Education Cooperative). The survey gathered data to determine K-4 teachers’ perceived acceptability of therapy dog programs in the classroom or school setting. The survey was distributed via email to all K-4 educators. This study included the responses of 182 educators who chose to respond to the survey. This study found the majority of educators who responded to the survey questions perceived that teachers have an awareness of the role of a therapy dog in the classroom. These educators indicated that K-4 classrooms benefit from the implementation of a therapy dog program. The study further indicated that legal issues such as sanitation, safety, allergies, and fear of dogs impacts the implementation of a therapy dog services in K-4 classrooms.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Belt, Lauren Grace, "Perceptions of Therapy Dog Programs Among K-4 Teachers in Northeast Arkansas Public School Districts." (2020). Student Theses and Dissertations. 374.
https://arch.astate.edu/all-etd/374
