HOWLAND — Students and staff needing emotional support at Howland High School have something to look forward to.

Starting today, dogs from the Mahoning Valley-based PAWS Therapy Team will visit the school approximately once per month during lunch and study hall periods, according to a news release from the district.

The program, organized by the school’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) team, is designed to create a supportive environment for both students and staff, should they need it.

Julie Capan, a health and physical education teacher with the school who is also involved with its PBIS team, explained that the school having a group like PAWS involved was principal Joseph Simko’s idea. Simko said it was discussed for several years previously by people at the school, but they struggled to make it happen.

It wasn’t until a chance encounter with a PAWS representative at a local charity event that the idea was approached again in a PBIS meeting, which Capan began looking into, Simko said.

“To explore this possibility, I reached out to Howland alumnus Sam Crank, who is a certified therapy dog handler,” Capan said. “Sam was incredibly helpful in connecting me with PAWS and providing valuable information, including their website and Facebook page.”

Simko said the school hopes to promote PAWS’ positives by having them present monthly.

“Students and staff are stressed on a daily basis, and it’s just nice to have programs in place that make school a warm and inviting place,” Simko said. “A program like this helps our students and staff feel at home and know that there are always good things going on at school and that we care. Our saying is ‘every student every day’ and this is just another voluntary opportunity to create a pathway for taking good care of people.”

Capan noted research showing the “profound and positive” impact therapy animals can have on well-being, academic performance and school climate, pointing out that a positive environment benefits staff, too.

“The presence of therapy dogs can create a more uplifting atmosphere, improving overall morale among teachers. The shared experience of having therapy dogs in the school can foster a sense of community among teachers and staff,” Capan said. “It provides a natural opportunity for colleagues to engage in positive interactions, share experiences and support one another.”

The service will be provided at no cost to the school or its students.

The visits will take place in an area near the cafeteria, providing students with the chance to visit with the dogs in small groups, and will be supervised by school staff and certified handlers from PAWS.

The therapy dogs are also fully vaccinated, leashed at all times and trained specifically to work in school settings, the release states.

The program will officially begin today from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.