December 2025

IDog-assisted interventions have increasingly been explored as involving dogs as supportive companions for children who need opportunities to practise language, social communication, and interaction skills. Rather than replacing educational or therapeutic instruction, dogs are typically included to help create emotionally safe, motivating, and socially meaningful contexts for practice. Below is a structured overview of three

Research overview Interest in the role of dogs as supportive companions in educational and developmental contexts has increased over recent decades. In particular, dog-assisted activities have been explored as a way to support children who need opportunities to practise reading skills, communication, emotional regulation, and social interaction. Rather than being viewed as instructional tools, dogs