Dog-Assisted Activities in Nurseries: Learning Through Play and Nature

PH-JEB
Jun 5
2 min read

Updated: Jun 13

What Are Dog-Assisted Activities?

Dog-assisted activities offer a playful, engaging, and effective way for young children to develop essential social, emotional, and cognitive skills.

Therapy dogs create a warm, low-stress environment where children can interact, explore, and learn naturally through positive experiences.

How Do These Sessions Work?

Since 2023, Józsefvárosi United Nurseries and the Sure Start Children’s Center in Hungary have successfully implemented dog-assisted sessions.

These sessions are led by a psychologist, a trained therapy dog, and the dog’s professional handler, and are designed for small groups of children aged 2–3 years, accompanied by their parents.

Session Details:

Duration: 20–25 minutes
Activities Include:
- Meeting and gently petting the therapy dog
- Movement games and mini obstacle courses
- Feeding the dog and participating in courage-building exercises
- Soft, ritualistic goodbyes to encourage emotional regulation

Why Are Therapy Dogs Beneficial?

Therapy dogs bring multiple developmental advantages to early childhood education:

Reduce anxiety and create a welcoming atmosphere
Encourage participation even among shy or hesitant children
Promote empathy and emotional intelligence through gentle, respectful interactions
Enhance social skills and teamwork through shared activities
Offer a safe, non-judgmental space where children can learn and grow confidently

Connecting Children with Nature and Sustainability

Dog-assisted activities are more than just fun—they also contribute meaningfully to sustainability education.

Through direct interaction with therapy dogs, children learn:

Respect and responsibility toward animals
Compassionate, kind behavior toward living beings
Awareness of nature and ecosystems through the lens of everyday relationships with animals

For many children, these sessions are their first close contact with a dog, providing valuable lessons in animal welfare, coexistence, and environmental stewardship.

This early connection fosters a lasting respect for nature and promotes a mindset of sustainability and care for the living world.

What Do Educators Need to Organize These Sessions?

A certified therapy dog and trained handler
A spacious, safe area to facilitate movement and group activities
Props and materials such as mini obstacle courses, sensory mats, and feeding stations

These sessions offer rich opportunities not only for children’s personal development but also for family bonding, community building, and early sustainability education—all wrapped up in joyful, play-based experiences.