At Western Academy Beijing (WAB), inclusion and innovation often walk paw-in-paw. This September, the school will officially launch Snuggle Pups – a therapy dog program designed to support student wellbeing, build community, and inspire service learning.

The program’s development began earlier this year with the vision of sustaining it annually through the Kindergarten Market Day unit. The Kindergarten students have the opportunity to engage in fundraising activities, such as selling homemade dog toys and treats, to support the Therapy Dog Project. 

Following that, a group of Grade 11 students creatively identified a nearby off-campus space for the therapy dogs, in order to stay compliant with Chinese law. They took on the challenge of designing this dedicated therapy dog area, guided by WAB’s design cycle.  

Students began by interviewing community partners at Paws Love and the Elementary School Principal to identify essential requirements: the space must be safe, accessible, calming for students, and comfortable for dogs and handlers. Research into animal-assisted therapy informed their design, emphasizing the benefits for mental health, attentiveness, and social skills, along with strategies to make the environment as soothing as possible. 

Their proposals incorporated features such as:

• Color psychology: Using calming tones like green and blue to promote relaxation.
  
  
• Natural elements: Real grass to reduce anxiety and encourage mindfulness.
  
  
• Comfort supports: Blankets, pillows, and fidget toys to provide sensory regulation.
  
  
• Environmental comfort: White tarps for shade, natural mosquito repellents, and quiet elements like wind chimes or soft music.
  
  
• Accessibility: Gated entry points and wheelchair access.

Starting in September 2025, three therapy dogs—Ken Ken, Milky, and Sunny—will join the WAB support community. Students will be able to pet the dogs and build relationships with them during weekly sessions, while monthly drop-in sessions will welcome faculty and staff to join in. Beyond campus, high school students will continue their service project socializing street dogs for adoption, with the added goal of preparing some as future therapy dogs. 

Snuggle Pups  builds on WAB’s history of animal-assisted therapy, which began with equine therapy. And while dolphins may not be swimming into the program anytime soon, students are already imagining what’s next.

As International Dog Day approaches, SENIA celebrates WAB’s vision, creativity, and dedication to building inclusive, compassionate spaces – reminding us that sometimes the best therapy comes with a wagging tail.