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Today in Mississippi
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March 2012
big job First-grader Jaquaries Boyd is all smiles when he is with buddy B.J. Principal Lisa Thompson calls Jaquaries her “classic success story.”
Dog therapy helps students at Starkville school
Lisa Thompson, principal at Sudduth Elementary School, is encouraged with the results of her experiment with dog therapy.
By Debbie Stringer He may look like a cotton ball on four legs, but B.J. is a powerful force on the campus of Sudduth Elementary School, in Starkville. The 7-month-old Bichon Frise pup is a therapy dog for a special group of K-2 students at the school. “B.J. plays a very important role at my school,” said Lisa Thompson, school principal and B.J.’s owner. “His primary responsibility is to make children feel better by giving them unconditional love. B.J. does not judge, criticize, scold,
reject, correct or recognize fault in anyone. Just the sight of him brings smiles to students, visitors and staff members.” The use of therapy dogs in hospitals, nursing homes and schools in other states has grown in the last decade. A therapy dog can lift spirits, provide unconditional affection, encourage communication and reduce hostile behavior in some people, according to a study conducted by Therapy Dog International. Thompson knew of no other school in Mississippi using pet therapy, so she read extensively online to determine whether a dog would make a good “therapy companion” for her students. She discovered the ideal breed: The Bichon Frise likes being around children, is gentle yet playful, and doesn’t shed—a bonus for children with allergies.
“I submitted a proposal to the school board to use pet therapy as part of my program here at school, and it went over
unanimously,” she said. “They had never heard about it, but they welcomed it.” Thompson acquired B.J. from a Meridian breeder early last summer, and in August B.J. reported to work at the school. “He almost jumps out of the car, he is so happy and excited. He knows where he is.” B.J. lives with Thompson’s family but spends most of the school day in her office. In the rare quiet moments, B.J. naps in his own red bean-bag chair
Sudduth students enjoy a brief visit from B.J. during class. The students have been coached to be gentle with the little dog and to avoid overwhelming him. B.J. is a Bichon Frise, a breed of dog known for its suitability for children and playful personality. B.J. rides to school every day with Thompson, his owner, and settles in her office.