Therapy Dogs Bring Comfort and Smiles During Testing Week

State testing can be a stressful time for students—but at Spring Lake’s elementary schools, a few special guests are helping ease the tension in the best way possible. Throughout recent testing days, therapy dogs have been visiting classrooms and hallways, offering comfort, calm, and a healthy dose of tail-wagging joy.

These certified therapy dogs, accompanied by their trained handlers, have become a welcome presence in the schools. As students prepare to take on challenging assessments, the dogs provide a moment of relief, helping reduce anxiety and create a more positive environment.

"The kids light up when the dogs walk in," said Jeffers principal, Dr. Kris Dewitt. "It's amazing how a short visit from a therapy dog can turn a nervous morning into a confident start." Students are invited to greet the dogs, give a quick pat, or simply enjoy their calming presence before heading into their test sessions.

The initiative is part of a growing effort to support student well-being alongside academic success. Studies have shown that therapy animals can lower stress levels, improve mood, and even enhance focus—all benefits that are especially welcome during testing periods.

Beyond the emotional support, these visits also reinforce the strong sense of community in Spring Lake Public Schools. The dogs are often local volunteers, and their presence highlights the many ways our school family works together to support the whole child.

As testing continues, the wagging tails and gentle paws will keep making their rounds—proving once again that sometimes the best encouragement doesn’t come in words, but in wags.