Supporting Children for Two Decades

Beginning in 2005, a generation of children in Bucks County improved their reading skills and reduced their stress and anxiety through visits from certified Roxy™ Therapy Dog teams.

Roxy Therapy Dogs began with one woman and one dog — Diane Smith, and her Boykin Spaniel, Roxy.

Founder Diane Smith saw how a therapy dog brought her grandmother, suffering from Alzheimer’s, out of her shell and into the present. This inspired Diane to get Roxy, a Boykin Spaniel, and train as a therapy dog team for her grandmother. To practice for those visits, in 2005 Diane visited her son’s school. She encouraged children with reading challenges to read aloud to Roxy.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Read about Diane’s retirement party in 2024.

Today, Roxy has 78 teams, 30 volunteers without dogs, and 6 programs that benefit the children of our community.

Roxy’s Impact

3,200 Children Per Week Benefit From Visits By Roxy Dogs.

The Only Therapy Dog
Organization Permitted in All 23
Central Bucks School District Schools.

78 Volunteer Therapy Dog Teams.

125 Classrooms Visited Per Week.

60 Venues Visited Per Year.

6 Programs
Serving Children in Schools,
The Courthouse, Healthcare Settings,
and Many More Locations.

All-Volunteer. No Paid Employees.

30 Volunteers Without Dogs.

20 Years Of Comfort And Love For Children Who Need Us.

What Roxy Therapy Dogs Means To So Many…

  • "Roxy Therapy Dogs provide an invaluable service to the kids involved in our child welfare system. It can be a very scary, stressful experience for kids coming to court. Having calm and loving dogs around helps put the kids at ease (and provides a great distraction for the adults too)!"

    The Honorable Jordan B. Yeager

  • "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

  • "The relationships that have developed between Tucker and the students over the years is heartwarming. Tucker knows which friends will be lying next to him for a relaxing snuggle and a hug; and when to be patient, calm, and tolerant while some of our friends work on gentle open palm pets, rather than pulling Tucker's hair. We look forward to Tuckers tail wags and Steve’s pawsitive energy and attitude every week! Thanks Steve and Tucker for putting smiles on all our faces 😊

    Collette Hennessy, Special Education Teacher, Groveland Elementary

  • "My class is thrilled to be a part of the Roxy Reading Program and eagerly awaits our weekly visits from Andrea and her trusty pups, Lowen and Cru. Their gentle nature relaxes the children and brightens their day. Students who are apprehensive to read never hesitate to grab a book and read aloud when they visit. Our class feels special to have this therapy team come to our classroom and support us as readers and learners and donate to our social and emotional well-being."

    Jennifer Rosztoczy, Third Grade, Buckingham Elementary

  • "The dogs fix your worries and anxiety. The dogs lay down and listen to the book as the reader pets them. When I am in a bad mood, the dog calms me down. Our brains change after reading and petting a dog. It is so calming when they come because some people are stressed a lot. I like the amazing dogs because I get happy reading to them. The dogs listen to you read, so it’s fun."

    Eve Packel, Student, Pine Run Elementary

Celebrate with Roxy!

Roxy Retrospect in Images