09/09/2024
🎉 Join us in welcoming Finn, our Therapy Dog, to the COPE team! 🎉
Interested in learning more about the benefits of having a therapy dog at school and much more? Make sure to read below! 👇
🐕🦺 What are the benefits of having a therapy dog in the school? Numerous research studies have shown the benefits of therapy dogs in schools. Therapy dogs have been working in schools across the nation for quite some time now. Evidence indicates that benefits include:
🔹 Cognitive - companionship with a dog stimulates memory, problem-solving and game playing.
🔹 Social - a dog provides a positive mutual topic for discussion, encourages responsibility, wellbeing, and focused interaction with others.
🔹 Emotional - school dogs improve self-esteem, acceptance from others and lifts mood, often provoking laughter and fun. Dogs can also teach compassion and respect for other living things as well as relieving anxiety.
🔹 Physical - interaction with a furry friend reduces blood pressure, provides tactile stimulation, assists with pain management, gives motivation to move, walk and stimulates the senses.
🔹 Reading - reading to dogs has been proven to help children develop literacy skills and build confidence, through both the calming effect the dog’s presence has on children as well as the fact that a dog will listen to children read without being judgmental or critical. This comforting environment helps to nurture children’s enthusiasm for reading and provides them with the confidence to read aloud.
🐕🦺 What if my child is allergic to dogs? It is understandable that some of you may be concerned about possible allergic reactions to a therapy dog. However, Finn has been and will be subjected to a thorough cleanliness and grooming regime. He will also only be allowed in situations with pupils who voluntarily wish to work with him.
🐕🦺 Will Finn be properly cared for? Finn will be extremely well looked after and will be working with Dr. Kim LaCivita, a licensed school psychologist. No matter where he is working, he will always be accompanied by Dr. Kim LaCivita. Finn will be assessed daily before coming to school utilizing a Daily Checklist. Finn will also visit the vet regularly for all of his vaccinations as well as regular check-ups. If Finn is unwell for any reason, he will stay home and be reassessed before returning to school.
🐕🦺 What if my child is scared of dogs? Some children may have had upsetting experiences and thus have a fear of dogs (or other animals). Finn will only be in contact with children that want to work with him. He has training that helps him to remain calm and be gentle around children. This training is ongoing and will continue to take place for as long as he is a school-based therapy dog. Experience and research has shown that with proper guidance and handling, children can learn to overcome their fear of animals and grow in respect and appreciation for them.
