And I cannot think of a better way to grab the attention of 60 second-graders than to tell them that if they get the right answer, Moose will do a trick. I found myself wanting to raise my hand, and I was pretty sure I did not have the right answer! Animals impact us in so many ways—comforting, calming, and offering companionship without fear of judgment or rejection. From the start, we have been cognizant of the possibility that some students or staff may suffer from allergies, or even a fear of dogs. Like any other environmental allergy, we’ll handle any issue on an individual basis. Make no mistake, like anybody in the business of education, we have a handful of naysayers. However, we know the positive impact outweighs these few concerns. Overall, our newest Viking Puppy Crew has caused quite a stir in our community—a positive one. In the end, I can honestly say that it’s totally fine when smiling students run right past me to hug one of our dogs—it puts a smile on my face, too.
Julie Lauck invites you to contact her with any questions about training therapy dogs for your district. You can connect with Valparaiso Community Schools on: Facebook: @ValparaisoCommunitySchools Twitter: @Valpo_Schools
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