Helping Children Thrive, One Paw at a Time

Bringing the comfort and joy of therapy dogs to children in Bucks County, PA.

Sometimes, a wagging tail makes all the difference.

A child who struggles with reading finds the confidence to read aloud. A teenager facing a difficult day finds a moment of calm. A child navigating a frightening experience finds comfort in a furry friend.

That’s the magic of Roxy Therapy Dogs.

Our all-volunteer nonprofit brings certified therapy dog teams into schools, healthcare settings, and the Bucks County Courthouse, helping children feel safe, supported, and ready to take on life’s challenges.

Meet Our Programs  |  Support Roxy

Small Paws. Big Impact.

Six Programs. Countless Moments That Matter.

  • A young girl with glasses and a pink headband kneeling on a green and white patterned rug, reading a book. Next to her, a large dog with a thick coat of brown and black fur is lying down with its head on the rug, appearing to rest.

    Roxy™ Reading: Elementary School Reading Inspiration

    Helping Young Readers Find Their Confidence

    Reading aloud can be intimidating, especially for children who struggle. Roxy’s patient, nonjudgmental therapy dogs give young readers a comforting companion as they practice their skills and build confidence.

    LEARN MORE ➜

  • A cute puppy with light brown and white fur, wearing an orange bandana, sitting on a paved sidewalk in front of a modern brick and glass building. The puppy is looking directly at the camera, and part of its head is cut off at the bottom of the image.

    Courthouse Companionship

    Comfort During Some of Life’s Hardest Moments

    For children involved in court proceedings or affected by crime, an unfamiliar legal environment can feel overwhelming. Roxy’s specially trained therapy dog teams provide a calming presence, helping children feel supported during difficult experiences. Our work includes partnerships with the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office and NOVA Bucks County.

    LEARN MORE ➜

  • A young boy with glasses and glasses, lying on the floor, resting his head on a large white and brown dog with a red collar, in an indoor setting.

    Student Specialized Support

    A Special Connection for Children with Unique Needs

    For children with developmental, educational, or emotional challenges, a therapy dog can provide comfort, encouragement, and opportunities for connection. Roxy teams work alongside educators to support students in specialized learning environments.

    LEARN MORE ➜

  • Young woman and girl petting a large dog with a gray coat, wearing an orange vest, on a school classroom floor.

    Secondary School Stress Relief

    A Moment of Calm When Students Need It

    School can bring academic pressure, social challenges, and emotional stress. Roxy dogs give middle and high school students a welcome opportunity to relax, recharge, and enjoy a little unconditional affection.

    LEARN MORE ➜

  • A young girl lying on a blue medical bed, wearing glasses and a colorful face mask, resting her head on her hand. A large dog, wearing an orange vest with a patch reading 'Roxy', is lying next to her, with its head resting on the bed.

    Pediatric Comfort

    Bringing Smiles to Children Facing Medical Challenges

    Children receiving medical care can experience fear, uncertainty, and isolation. A visit from a Roxy therapy dog offers companionship, comfort, and a welcome moment of happiness.

    LEARN MORE ➜

  • A group of people petting a dog from Roxy Therapy Dogs.

    Roxy™ Responders

    When a Community Experiences a Tragedy

    After a traumatic event or crisis, children and school communities may need additional emotional support. Roxy Responders provides trained therapy dog teams to offer comfort and connection during difficult times.

    LEARN MORE ➜

Bring a Little Roxy Magic to Your Workplace or Event

If you're looking to have therapy dogs at Employee Wellness Days, Client Appreciation Events, Company-Hosted Community Events, or Trade Shows & Business Expos learn more about our community corporate partnerships. You support a good cause and your attendees get to pet dogs. A win-win!

An advertisement for therapy dog training classes featuring a happy curly-haired puppy with a speech bubble saying, 'I want to grow up to be a therapy dog!'. The background has a gradient from beige to peach with text about classes, sponsors, and a website.

Want To Become a Certified Therapy Dog Team With Your Pupper?

From puppies to teens to adult dogs, we have a program for you.

Get guidance for you and your furbaby on how to fast-track your journey and increase your potential for success with these classes taught by certified dog trainer Susie Danzis of Training Tails.

These classes are sponsored by Roxy™ Therapy Dogs and the Village Improvement Association of Doylestown.

A young girl with long blonde hair is smiling as she interacts with a large, friendly dog. Another child in the background is wearing a face mask and appears to be petting or working with the dog. The scene takes place in a classroom with shelves, colorful posters, and desks.

5,000 Children Benefit
from a Roxy Dog Each Week

Roxy dogs comfort children and improve their self-esteem by lessening anxiety and fear. When a child feels safe and relaxed, learning is accessible and both physical and emotional healing are accelerated.

Learn More ➜

A boy and a guide dog sitting on a carpet, with the boy reaching out and touching the dog's face. The boy is reading a comic book, and other students and laptops are in the background.

6 Programs:
Immense Impact on Children

School-age children receive comfort and support in six programs: Elementary School Reading Inspiration, Student Specialized Support, Secondary School Stress Relief, Courthouse Companionship, Pediatric Comfort, and Roxy™ Responders.

Learn More ➜

A young boy with glasses sleeping on the floor with a black and white dog wearing a Halloween-themed bandana. The boy is lying on a brown carpet, and various items like magazines, a blue blanket, and a book are nearby. In the background, there are chairs, a table, a blue bag, and some luggage or similar items.

The Power of the
Human-Canine Connection

Dogs’ innate ability to impact our physiology and make us feel better is not just conjecture.

It’s grounded in scientific fact.

Learn More ➜

Barkworthy: What’s Happening in Roxy World

  • "The first tenet of Roxy’s mission is to bring comfort to children, and there are few places that can be more fulfilled than in the victim-witness room at the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office. The children we serve have often been victimized in ways that shatter their sense of security, and our adversarial justice system may only deepen their anguish. Roxy Reading Therapy Dogs bring comfort to children who need it most, when they need it most. With comfort, signs of joy begin to glimmer through, and while they are with Roxy Dogs and staff, their stressors abate, and they can find the peace of childhood once again."

    Jennifer M. Schorn, Bucks County District Attorney

  • “What a gift Roxy Readers is to my special education students! We love the bond between handlers, dogs, students, and teachers. A dog has a special power: to bring calm to anxiety, to bring a smile to sadness, to motivate and encourage — even the most reluctant readers. To have a trusting face of fur look up to a child as they tackle the daunting array of letters on a page is magical to watch. We are so grateful for Roxy in the Central Bucks School District and look forward to many years ahead with our fluffy partners in literacy.”

    Eve Packel, Pine Run Elementary, Special Education Teacher

  • "Roxy dogs and their handlers are part of the DNA of CB East. The students and staff light up when they visit proactively, or as part of a club, and they bring with them a welcome wave of unconditional love, combined with needed moments of peace, during times of crisis. We benefit tremendously from our work with Roxy and are so grateful for our partnership."

    Chad Watters, Principal, Central Bucks East High School

  • "Roxy Therapy Dogs and their handlers have become cherished members of the Gayman school community. When these wonderful dogs visit, the students' faces light up with joy and excitement. For many students, the presence of the therapy dogs opens up new pathways to learning, helping them to engage more fully with their academics. Additionally, the therapy dogs play a crucial role in managing stress and anxiety, providing comfort and emotional support. The positive impact of Roxy Therapy Dogs is difficult to fully capture in words, but you can see their impact in the smiles and calmness they bring to our students, making our school a more nurturing and supportive environment for everyone. Thank you, Roxy!!!"

    Shawn Ortman, Principal, Gayman Elementary School

Certified furry friends make the magic happen. Meet them all ➜

Thanks To Our Sponsors!