Design and Evaluate a Teen Leadership Program With Therapy Dogs

Turning Compassion Into Real-World Leadership Skills

A teen leadership program gets powerful when it connects real feelings with real responsibility. When you add therapy dogs, something special happens. Teens who are quiet, shy, or unsure often start to relax, speak up, and try new things when a calm, friendly dog is sitting beside them. That change is not magic; it is the result of clear goals, thoughtful planning, and steady practice.

In this guide, we share how to design and measure a teen leadership program using therapy dogs. We will talk about vision, curriculum, outcomes, and simple evaluation tools that anyone can understand. Our focus is especially helpful if you are planning a teen leadership program in Los Alamitos or nearby communities as schools gear up for a new semester and families choose after-school and weekend activities.

Defining the Vision for a Therapy Dog Leadership Program

Before planning activities, it helps to ask, what do we really want teens to gain from this experience? Some common goals are:

• Confidence building  

• Social emotional learning  

• Communication and teamwork  

• Emotional resilience  

You might want all of these, but it is useful to pick your top two or three. When the purpose is clear, it is easier to pick lessons, decide how long the program should be, and choose what to measure.

Then think about who your teens are. A group of sixth graders who feel anxious in social settings will need different support than older teens who already see themselves as leaders. Questions to ask:

• Are they middle school, high school, or a mix?  

• Do they struggle more with anxiety, social skills, or behavior?  

• Are you hoping to grow new leaders, or to support teens who feel left out?  

Local context matters too. In Los Alamitos, school schedules, sports, band, and other activities can fill afternoons and evenings. Programs might work best:

• Right after school on specific weekdays  

• As Saturday morning or early afternoon sessions  

• In shorter intensive series during school breaks  

At The BOLO Project, we stay close to a few core practices: safe, structured time with trained therapy dogs, trauma-informed facilitation so we do not trigger past hurts, and strengths-based language where we point out what teens are doing well. Any group designing a program can borrow those ideas and shape them to fit their space and community.

Designing a Week-by-Week Curriculum with Therapy Dogs

A clear structure keeps the program focused and safe. One simple way is to break it into four phases across several weeks.

Phase 1: Orientation and Safety  

• Expectations for behavior around dogs and peers  

• How to ask a dog for consent to be petted  

• Basic dog body language, signs of stress, and signs of comfort  

Phase 2: Core Leadership Skills  

Each week can center on a leadership theme, always tied to dog activities. For example:

• Nonverbal communication and empathy: Teens study canine body language, then practice reading each other’s signals, like facial expressions and posture.  

• Emotional self regulation: Teens learn calm handling techniques such as slow movements and steady breathing, then link that to staying calm during school stress.  

• Teamwork and clear communication: Small groups design a simple game or mini obstacle path for the dog, then give clear, kind instructions and adjust when things do not go as planned.  

Phase 3: Application Projects  

Teens work in teams on a small project related to the dogs and leadership, for example:

• Planning a short “dog safety and kindness” talk they could give to younger kids  

• Designing posters on respectful behavior with animals and peers  

• Creating a simple routine or trick sequence that shows patience and timing  

  
  

Phase 4: Reflection and Celebration  

The final week or two focus on looking back and naming growth. Teens might share:

• One leadership skill they grew the most  

• One way working with therapy dogs helped them at school or home  

• One goal they want to keep working on  

  
  

Throughout every phase, reflection is key. Some helpful tools:

• Quick journal prompts at the end of each session  

• Short group circles to share “one win and one challenge”  

• Simple feedback cards where teens rate their confidence that day  

  
  

Program formats can flex with local rhythms: after-school series, weekend blocks, or short summer programs when school is out but families still want structure.

Core Outcomes Every Teen Leadership Program Should Target

Without clear outcomes, it is hard to know if the program is working. For therapy dog leadership programs, we usually look at three areas.

Social emotional outcomes  

We want to see teens grow in:

• Self awareness: noticing their own feelings in the moment  

• Empathy: understanding how others, including the dogs, might feel  

• Stress management: using breathing, breaks, or asking for help  

• Resilience: trying again after mistakes  

The dogs help because their feedback is fast and gentle. If a teen is loud or rushed, the dog may pull away. When the teen softens, the dog relaxes too. That natural loop helps teens connect their behavior with its impact.

Leadership and life skills outcomes  

These are the skills that carry into college, jobs, and the community:

• Speaking up in groups  

• Taking initiative without being told every step  

• Keeping commitments, like showing up on time and following safety rules  

• Working respectfully with different peers  

Behavioral and academic indicators  

You can also watch for changes outside the dog room, such as:

• Better school attendance  

• Fewer classroom conflicts  

• More participation in clubs or service projects  

At The BOLO Project in Los Alamitos, we turn these broad ideas into small, observable behaviors. For example, instead of “better communication,” we might look for “makes eye contact, uses clear volume, and checks for understanding when talking to a partner.”

Measuring Impact with Clear Tools and Metrics

Measurement does not have to be complicated. A simple plan can still give rich insight.

Start with three main tools:

• Baseline and end-of-program surveys for teens  

• Short optional feedback forms for parents or teachers  

• Facilitator observation notes after each session  

Helpful teen survey items might include:

• “I feel comfortable speaking in front of a small group”  

• “I know how to calm myself when I feel stressed”  

• “I feel confident leading an activity with others”  

Use a simple rating scale, like 1 to 5, so you can see growth over time.

Since the program is built around therapy dogs, their role can guide your metrics too. You might track:

• How teens approach the dog at the start vs the end of the program  

• Whether they remember to ask for consent before petting  

• How often they adjust their behavior when the dog shows stress signals  

• How they speak up to protect the dog’s comfort and safety  

These details point toward gains in empathy, patience, and responsibility.

For programs that run over a semester, you can collect:

• Surveys during week one, midpoint, and final week  

• Short comments from teachers at report card time  

• A simple group reflection board where teens post what has changed for them  

Those patterns then help you shape the next season of your teen leadership program in Los Alamitos or beyond.

Turning Evaluation Into Ongoing Program Growth

Data is only helpful if it leads to change. After each cycle, take time to look at what worked well and what did not. You might decide to:

• Shorten or lengthen certain activities  

• Add more movement for high energy groups  

• Give extra support on skills like conflict resolution or public speaking  

Stories matter too. When you pair numbers with short teen reflections and clear examples of kind, skillful dog handling, schools and community partners can better understand the impact.

As a dog-assisted teen development nonprofit, The BOLO Project cares deeply about both heart change and real world skills. With clear vision, thoughtful curriculum, and simple metrics, any group can build a therapy dog leadership program that grows confident, compassionate teens who are ready to lead at school, at home, and in the community.

Empower Your Teen With Real-World Leadership Skills Today

If you are ready to help your teen grow in confidence, purpose, and character, our team at The BOLO Project is here to walk alongside your family. Explore our teen leadership program in Los Alamitos to see how meaningful projects, mentorship, and community engagement can shape their future. Take the next step today so your teen can start building the skills and mindset they need to lead well in school, at home, and beyond.