LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — On Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, Orange County Animal Allies brought some of their dogs to WellSpace at Los Alamitos High School for the third year. OCAA is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping families in Orange County by providing them with animals to match their emotional needs.
Fourth-period teachers at LAHS had the opportunity to sign up their classes to visit the Wellspace and meet the puppies for 10 minutes. There were puppies both inside and outside the wellspace available for students to meet, each accompanied by a volunteer who introduced them to the students and monitored their interactions.
All of the puppies were very friendly and excited to meet the students. These well-trained emotional support dogs showcased their calm and supportive behaviors, portraying their benefit for humans.
“It’s shown that there is a marked decrease in your blood pressure when you are petting dogs, promoting relaxation in humans,” Sandy, a volunteer dog handler, said.
All six of the visiting dogs gained a crowd of students surrounding them who were eager to pet the dogs and hear the stories behind them. The dogs ranged from young to old in age, each presenting a unique set of characteristics; from Rhodesian Ridgebacks to Golden Retrievers, these dogs brought joy to administration, students and teachers alike.
OC Animal Allies continues its good work through the support of volunteers within communities. There are various opportunities for volunteers to find happiness in working with these animals and seeing the joy they bring to so many people.
“We often go to assisted living, and those people have had to leave their dogs behind, so they are desperate to pet a dog again, and to get some hugs and love from dogs, makes them happy,” Sandy said.
Giving them a chance for students and teachers alike really brightened their Friday; many smiles were present, and many cuddles were given.
In order to find more information on how to help or volunteer with this organization, visit their volunteer page.
