A furry friend with a purpose: Therapy dog proposed for West Hill School

Photos by Mark Jahne

by Mark Jahne

Editor

There’s something soothing about the companionship of a well-trained dog.

That’s one of many reasons why Principal Cara Quinn would like to add a trained therapy dog to the West Hill School staff. She had one on hand the evening of April 28 during the annual book fair and children flocked to pet it and make friends.

Quinn has first-hand experience with what a dog like this can provide to an elementary school. The canine visitor that evening is a therapy dog at Griswold Elementary School in Berlin, where she served as dean of students earlier in her career.

West Hill School students surround Walter the yellow Labrador retriever. He is a therapy dog at Griswold Elementary School in Berlin and paid a visit to West Hill as part of an effort to acquire a similar dog there. (Jahne)

The plan is to acquire a BluePath therapy dog that is professionally trained to provide consistent support, companionship and a calming presence. Such dogs have been shown to help students feel safe and calm, reduce stress and anxiety, promote emotional regulation and the ability to manage strong feelings, support focus and participation, encourage positive social interactions, and create a positive impact on cognition, memory and learning.

If approved and acquired, the dog will not roam the around school. Quinn said it will always be accompanied by a trained handler and parental permission is required for a child to interact with the animal.

Efforts will be made to safeguard students with allergies and those who may be afraid of animals or otherwise not wish to have contact with a dog. Multiple staff members will be trained to serve as handlers.

Walter the BluePath therapy dog and the dog therapy team are all smiles at Griswold Elementary School in Berlin. Cara Quinn, second from left, was part of that team when she worked at that school. She is now in Rocky Hill and serves as the principal of West Hill School. Photo courtesy of BluePath Service Dogs

The school has already launched a fund-raising effort to acquire and care for a dog and hopes to garner support not only from the West Hill community, but all across town.

“It was Cara’s idea” to propose adding a dog to the school staff, PTO President Laura Bongiovanni said.

“We thought it would be a great thing for our kids and help them with anxiety and stress. We want the parents to see the benefits of having the dog and we need to raise money to purchase the dog.”

“It’s trained for two years before it comes to an elementary school,” parent volunteer Eva Sutton added.

Parent volunteers Ava Sutton, left, and Lucy Bongiovanni sold stuffed dog toys to raise funds to purchase a trained therapy dog for West Hill School. Bongiovanni is the president of the PTO. (Jahne)

“There’s amazing magic that dogs bring that humans can’t bring,” Quinn added.

That includes emotional well-being and joy. Dogs can also make it easier for children who have school-avoidance issues and/or separation anxiety to come to school. There’s also an academic component. Young learners can ask for time to read to the dog, improving their language skills in the process.

“These dogs are so highly trained. There always will be a trainer or a handler” with them in the school, Quinn said.

BluePath provides initial handler training and placement guidance and is available for consultation throughout the working life of the dog. The animal lives with a staff member and becomes part of that person’s regular home life during non-working hours.

The nonprofit organization also trains dogs to assist people who are on the autism spectrum. RHL

For more information about this initiative email membership@westhillpto.com.