The ARU OneWelfare Research Group is pleased to announce that we secured funding to start a new research project focusing on the use of dogs in schools as part of Animal-Assisted Education (AAEd). This comprehensive scoping review will explore existing literature on AAEd, evaluating its impact on student wellbeing, the welfare of participating dogs, and the broader implications for the school environment.

AAEd programmes involving dogs are increasingly implemented to support student mental health, enhance social skills, and improve emotional wellbeing. However, concerns remain regarding the welfare of the dogs involved, logistical challenges, and ethical considerations. Recent research conducted at ARU has indicated that many school staff who bring dogs into educational settings may lack confidence in ensuring the safety and welfare of the animals, and work presented at the 2024 UFAW Student Research Conference highlighted limits of existing knowledge. This project aims to address these gaps by informing the development of best practices and ethical guidelines for the implementation of safe and sustainable AAEd programmes.

This research is being conducted in collaboration with Dr. Claudia Wasscher from ARU's Faculty of Science and Engineering and Dr. Joanna Bowser-Angermann from ARU's Faculty of Arts, Humanities, Education and Social Sciences.