This article was written for the April edition of the Community Compass newsletter.
Therapy dogs are creating calmer, more effective learning environments for MCPASD students through animal assisted therapy services.
“Animals reduce stress, provide emotional comfort and support, and reduce loneliness and depression,” said Middleton High School Occupational Therapist Laurie Wood. “When these foundational factors are addressed, learning can occur and amazing things can happen.”
Kingsley, a therapy dog primarily serving Middleton High School, currently supports a smaller number of students during one-on-one sessions. Animals like Kinglsey can take on the stress that a student may be encountering, match their energy, and provide a calm and loving presence.
“I love everything about working with Kingsley!” said Ethan, a Middleton High School student. “I especially love how he doesn’t want to leave me when our time is up.”
Therapy dogs also create valuable chances for movement and activity during the day, as well as opportunities for social interactions and bonding.
“I love when Kingsley helps me deliver snacks to the staff working at the District Services Center,” said Ryan, a Middleton High School student.
In addition to Kingsley, a therapy dog named Rooney from CARES, Inc., serves our schools. Students read to Rooney to improve their reading and literacy skills. Additionally, when Rooney visits Glacier Creek Middle School, one of the students bonds with him by “preparing the space” and brushing his fur, which provides a calming end to the student’s school day.
MCPASD is currently in the beginning stages of implementing animal assisted therapy services on a more widespread basis. In the meantime, Kingsley quickly befriends all of the students and staff he sees in the school and is becoming more acclimated to the school environment, which includes noisy hallways, bells at the beginning and end of class periods, and more.
“We’re also having Kingsley be present when students are dysregulated to ensure he becomes comfortable going into those environments without hesitation,” said MCPASD Wellness Coordinator Kalise Horst. “That way, he can provide the best support to students.”
Therapy dogs also help students and staff cope and process difficult feelings during times of crisis. MCPASD has connections with agencies like Dogs on Call and Custom Canines to bring in other animals on short notice during sensitive situations.
The District also recently implemented a comprehensive procedure to support its Animals on School Property policy. It prioritizes the safety of students and staff and allows teams to better accommodate District-wide requests for assisted therapy dogs.
Students and staff are delighted by their interactions with Rooney and Kingsley, and leaders said the therapy services are just as rewarding for the dogs.
“Kingsley is incredibly dedicated to his job,” Horst said. “It’s a joy to watch how much he loves being a therapy dog. He loves seeing his friends at school and the District office and making them happy.”