Paws for progress: Therapy dogs bring comfort and confidence to Futura learners
A visit from Top Dogs leaves a lasting impact as learners build emotional skills, confidence and meaningful connections through guided interaction with therapy animals.
Therapy dogs’ visit to Futura Special School in Ridgeway is described as one of the school’s best initiatives for learner development.
Top Dogs, a non-profit organisation, take their therapy dogs around Johannesburg to create animal awareness while their dogs provide comfort to anyone they come in contact with.
Top Dogs Joburg coordinator Aleksandra Trivella said, “It’s more than just a visit – it’s a connection and moments the little ones won’t forget.”
The programme is designed to help children create good relationships with animals in a safe and supportive environment.
Educators noted that interactions with the therapy dogs encourage social skills, emotional regulation, and confidence among learners.
The visit gives children the chance to bond with the animals through supervised play, petting and gentle activities tailored to individual comfort levels.
Futura Special School and Top Dogs ensured the initiative played an important role in the holistic support offered to learners.
