Schools in New Jersey may soon be playing host to some new, four-legged visitors. The state legislature is considering a bill to help bring more therapy dogs into public elementary schools.

The bill is bipartisan, meaning that it has support from both a Democratic and a Republican lawmaker. If passed, the bill would allow the New Jersey Department of Education to pick two school districts in each of the state’s three regions—northern, central, and southern New Jersey—for a three-year pilot (test) program. During this time, officials would study the effect of the program on students’ mental health and academic performance.

“[If the results are positive], then we hope we’ll be able to allow this program to be part of the curriculum and work throughout the state of New Jersey for every school district,” state senator Anthony Bucco, a Republican, told PIX11 News. Bucco is sponsoring the bill with Democratic state senator James Beach.

School therapy dogs are already used in many states, at the elementary school level all the way up through college. Researchers have evidence that spending time with animals can reduce levels of cortisol, a chemical the body produces in response to stress. Therapy dogs might also help students improve their academic performance.

“Research demonstrates that the use of therapy dogs in a school setting can improve confidence, motivation, and even school attendance,” Senator Beach said in a statement.