Long Beach High School was thrilled to recently host its first Therapy Dog Thursday, a wellness initiative offered through Pet Partners and the high school’s newly designed Student Wellness Center known as The Well.

Students were invited to stop by The Well on Nov. 20 to meet Jackson, a gentle and friendly golden retriever, accompanied by his handler, Steve Tepper in hopes to bring calm, comfort, and connection to students through the meeting.

Interacting with therapy dogs has been shown to reduce stress, lower anxiety, lift mood, and support emotional balance. The Well hopes to make Therapy Dog Thursday a regular program offered to students to encourage presence, empathy, and connection, core values that align closely with the mission of The Well.

Long Beach Wellness Center Teacher Kristen Ford said, Jackson brought an energy of calm and connection to The Well. It's amazing how something so gentle can be so powerful. You could feel the shift in the room. Students who spent time with him left smiling, lighter, and more grounded.

The Well is Long Beach High School’s dedicated Student Wellness Center providing students a calming, inclusive space where students can pause, reset, and build tools to support their mental, physical, emotional, and social well-being. Through mindfulness, movement, and wellness education, The Well fosters a culture of balance and resilience. It is a place where every student feels grounded, empowered, and confident to lead with compassion, both in and beyond the classroom.