Long Beach High School hosted its first Therapy Dog Thursday; a wellness initiative offered through Pet Partners and the high school’s newly designed Student Wellness Center known as The Well.
Students were invited to stop by The Well to meet Jackson, a gentle and friendly golden retriever, accompanied by his handler, Steve Tepper, in hopes to bring calm, comfort and connection to students through the meeting, on Nov. 20.
Interacting with therapy dogs has been shown to reduce stress, lower anxiety, lift mood and support emotional balance. The Well hopes to make Therapy Dog Thursday a regular program offered to students to encourage presence, empathy and connection, core values that align closely with the mission of The Well.
Jackson brought an energy of calm and connection to The Well,” Long Beach Wellness Center teacher Kristen Ford said in a news release. “It's amazing how something so gentle can be so powerful. You could feel the shift in the room. Students who spent time with him left smiling, lighter and more grounded."
The Well is Long Beach High School’s dedicated Student Wellness Center offering students a calming, inclusive space where students can pause, reset and build tools to support their mental, physical, emotional and social well-being.
Through mindfulness, movement and wellness education, The Well fosters a culture of balance and resilience. It is a place where every student feels grounded, empowered and confident to lead with compassion, both in and beyond the classroom.
