Cynthia

Twenty-eight Bright Spot Therapy Dogs greeted a record-breaking crowd of 2,000 students who came to the Student Union Ballroom to receive the best possible form of stress-relief.

Scientific research has proven that the simple act of petting a dog lowers blood pressure and makes a person feel happy and relaxed. These scientific findings were clearly evident today as I looked around the room and saw happy faces everywhere – students, staff, volunteers, and the dogs…. I felt surrounded by happiness – with laughter filling the air.

Students expressed their need to pet the dogs and feel relief from the many stresses surrounding them both on and off campus.

The steady flow of students never tapered off throughout the 2 1/2 hour event, running from 11:00-1:30. Many stayed for a while, went off to class, then returned for more therapy dog love.

A variety of breeds and mixed-breeds were represented in the group of 28 Bright Spots and students made sure they got to meet them all.

Included in the event were two Golden Retrievers and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel stationed in the library for students there studying for mid-terms.

Students were happy to hear that our Bright Spot Therapy Dogs will be back at UMass Amherst in December during final exam period.

We need this… This is the best… My favorite event of the year… I love that you come four times a year, both semesters during mid-terms and finals… I miss my own dog so much. Spending time with these dogs really helps…

Both the dogs and their owners left UMass today having felt the magic of the human-canine bond.

Class participants practice interacting with residents in a skilled nursing facility.

Autumn is a great time to begin something new or to start something you’ve been thinking about doing for a long time but just haven’t gotten around to it.

Training with your dog to become a Bright Spot certified therapy dog team is lots of fun and extremely rewarding. If your dog is well-trained, friendly and outgoing and you enjoy helping people in need, volunteering as a certified therapy dog team is just the thing for you!

Class participants practice working with young children.

Enrollment for our October Bright Spot Therapy Dog Training is now in the works. We still have a few openings left in the class running October 15 and 22 from 9:30-11:30.

Our classes are kept small to allow plenty of time for practice, individual help, and questions. Participants are given a complete course packet to take home with them containing information about all the skills and techniques covered in class. Graduates of the class will come away prepared, not only to take the one-on-one evaluation held at a local nursing home, but to make meaningful visits with their dogs once certified.

Here’s what one recent class participant had to say about our Therapy Dog Training Class…

The TD class was great. Jordan and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Michelle does such a good job in all the aspects of the class- presenting the  information, having participants practice the obedience and visiting skills and making the class friendly and fun for the participants. Annabelle does a very good job as assistant.

Therapy dogs need to be able to meet and greet other dogs in a friendly manner. Here a few class participants pose for a photo.

Ready to sign up? Need more information? Go to our website today.

Our website is where you’ll find the answers to most of the questions you have about therapy dog work, where we visit, and how to go about getting your dog certified through Bright Spot Therapy Dogs. We hope to see you and your dog at our next class!

Our Bright Spot Therapy Dogs Information Booth will be staffed by our knowledgable volunteers throughout the day.

Bright Spot Therapy Dogs is very excited that Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Hadley, Massachusetts, has invited us back for a third year in a row to hold our FUN DAY WITH DOGS taking place on Saturday, November 4, 2017 from 10:30-3:30!

This event is very special, not only do people get to learn about therapy dogs and the meaningful work they do for people of all ages in healthcare, education, and business environments, they also get to see a variety of fun and interesting things they can do with their own dogs at home. In addition, Barnes and Noble will donate a portion of all sales that day to Bright Spot Therapy Dogs. So, if you buy books and other items while you’re visiting with our wonderful dogs throughout the store, you will be helping to raise the amount Barnes and Noble will be donating to our meaningful work.

The folks at Barnes and Noble, Hadley, let us transform the store by moving bookcases allowing our various set-ups around the store. Here’s a preliminary list of the things we have in store for those who stop by B&N on November 4th:

Learn about Therapy Dogs: Our Bright Spot information booth will be set up with photos of our Therapy Dog Teams visiting in healthcare and educational settings. Copies of our print publications will be available as handouts, and our knowledgeable volunteers will be on hand to describe the meaningful work our therapy dogs do and explain how dogs get trained and certified as therapy dogs through Bright Spot.

Young children enjoy reading aloud to the specially trained Reading Buddy dogs who are great non-judgmental listeners. Pictured is Reading Buddy Max, a retired racing greyhound.

Read to a Bright Spot Reading Buddy Dog: Dogs are wonderful listeners and enjoy all kinds of books! Young children will have the opportunity to read to one of the Reading Buddy dogs for a 15-minute time slot. Different Reading Buddy dogs will be scheduled throughout the day. Bring a favorite book from home or choose one from the store to read to the dog.

Agility, Obedience, and Tricks: Trainers from Animal Alliances will be demonstrating obedience work, agility, tricks, and lots more training skills people can do with their dogs. Demonstrations will be on going throughout the day. Shoppers will have the chance to talk with the trainers about the schedule of classes offered at Animal Alliances, which is located on Damon Road in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Meet Raven and James and their teammates Karyn and Sally who will tell you all about their therapy dog work at Bradley International Airport

Airport Therapy Dogs: Meet Bright Spots James and Raven and their teammates Sally King and Karyn Cordner who are official airport therapy dogs at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, CT. Learn from Sally and Karyn what the dogs do at the airport and what it takes to become certified and trained through Bright Spot Therapy Dogs as one of these special airport dogs.

The Fun Sport of Geocaching with Your Dog: Meet Comet, geocaching companion extraordinaire, and learn from his teammate Nancy Ronan what geocaching is all about. The pair has trekked all over western Massachusetts in search of geocaches. Stop by the demo area and learn all about their adventures.

Meet Brinkley, a certified Hope Animal-Assisted Crisis Response Dog: Brinkley and his teammate Ned Polan would love to talk to you about the meaningful work they do helping on the national level in times of crisis, along with the training and certification involved. Brinkley has served at a military kids’ grief camp, the Revere tornado, a weekend encampment for homeless and at-risk veterans, and four weeks with survivors and the families of victims at the Washington Navy Yard shooting. For his work, Brinkley received an Award of Merit from the Secretary of the Navy.

Bright Spot Kaezli, a Bernese Mountain Dog, is a wonderful ambassador for her breed and for Bright Spot. She is joined by her teammate Kathy.

Meet the Breeds: Find out what it’s like to live with a Bernese Mountain Dog, an English Setter, a Standard Poodle, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a Golden Retriever, an All-American-Mix, and lots more. A variety of Bright Spot therapy dogs will be scheduled throughout the day. Event attendees will have the chance to meet the breeds in person and talk to the dogs’ owners.

Please SAVE THE DATE and share this information with your friends and relatives.

We’ve had a great turn-out the past two years and try to make each year’s event better than the last. We hope to see you there on November 4th.

Bright Spot Therapy Dog Betty greets the behavior specialist who she works closely with each day.

I am a Bright Spot Therapy Dog named Betty. You may remember my sister Coco, a chocolate lab my parents rescued from Indiana.

She and my mom became a therapy dog team through Bright Spot Therapy Dogs, Inc. Coco worked over 2000 hours at Mom’s middle school (where my mom is the principal), providing comfort and support to the students and staff there. When Mom and Dad brought me home from the breeder (actually, even when they visited me when I was a week old, three weeks old, and six weeks old), they made it very clear that I was expected to follow in Coco’s paw prints and become a therapy dog. I embraced the challenge and continue to work toward one day being as effective as my big sister, Coco, was.

Jackson wears his yellow therapy dog-in-training vest as he works with students at the Robert E. Melican Middle School.

My brother, Jackson (also my litter mate), came to live with us when he and I were eleven months old. He is currently a therapy-dog-in-training, working at Mom’s school as he continues to learn. Jackson and I headed back to school last week.

Jackson and I are so happy to be back working at Mom’s school! Students returned Wednesday, August 30^th. Mom reported that several students were asking her when she would be bringing us to school. One student said she felt anxious about being back and was hoping Mom would have a dog at school the first day. Mom decided that we needed to get back to work immediately.

I went to school with Mom the second day of school (Thursday) and Jackson went on Friday.

I also went to school Wednesday and Friday this week, and Jackson went Tuesday. Maggie, the behavior specialist’s golden retriever and another therapy dog in training, also went to school Friday. Mom says we are such integral pieces of students’ school experience that they come to depend on us.

My first day back, a seventh grade boy saw me enter the building and ran over to hug me. Mom asked him to take my leash and walk me down to the behavior specialist’s room.

I was jumpy because I was so excited to be back. Mom apologized, and the student said, I understand, Betty! I am very excited to see you, too! We met up with another seventh grader who was heading to the behavior specialist’s room. I jumped on him and again, Mom apologized. He replied, Oh my gosh!! I am SO happy to see you, Betty!! I understand you are just as excited as I am. When I jumped up, he hugged me tight, and I knew I was right where I was supposed to be, back with my friends.

Betty offers comfort and caring to a needy middle schooler.

As Mom says, once you get back to school, it feels like you never left.

My old seventh and eighth grade friends in both the behavior specialist’s room and the therapeutic classroom were so happy to reconnect with me.  I met many new sixth graders, as well. My first day back, one sixth grader exclaimed, I get to be in this room AND there are dogs here??? I LOVE this place!! Mom says this student is anxious and was struggling with the transition from elementary school to middle school. I have helped ease that transition for him. He and I are quickly becoming very close. A seventh grader was struggling getting into school the first days back. Seeing me, and knowing he would be able to spend time with me, got him excited about being back. After connecting with me, he was able to get back into the routine of school and to reconnect with his friends.

I spent most of my time this week and last in the behavior specialist’s room, the therapeutic classroom, and the language based classroom.

Students who spend time in these spaces are with their peers for most of the school day, but spend some time in small groups or in one-on-one settings throughout the week. Students who spend time in the behavior specialist’s room, for example, may have anxiety, depression, ADHD, etc. but they are able to attend most classes with their grade level peers. Some need homeroom with the behavior specialist, a break in that room here and there, or a place to take tests. Others need more direct support. Students in the therapeutic program also attend many classes with their peers, but some need more intensive interventions (small group math instruction, for example, or more frequent therapeutic breaks and structured check-ins). Students in the Language Based Program need their English and/or reading instruction delivered in a small group setting by a Language Based teacher. These three programs serve students with different needs, and we have become necessary additions. The adults who work in these programs love dogs and understand the benefits to having us with their students.

Jackson had an equally productive return to school.

His first day back, he was also met by a seventh grader who walked him down to the behavior specialist’s room. He reconnected with his seventh and eighth grade friends, and met many new sixth graders. The sixth graders were impressed that we have more than one dog that comes to school.

Maggie a sweet, gentle Golden Retriever and the behavior specialist’s own dog, is a therapy dog-in-training at the school, as well.

Maggie is the behavior specialist’s golden retriever. She comes to school with her mom once a week.

Today, she met a sixth grader who moved to Northborough over the summer. He has had a difficult life so far, and he finds himself living with a relative far away from other family members. The adjustment is difficult for him, but when he met Maggie, he melted.  I was busy working with other students in another room at the time, but I hope to meet him next week. Mom says he really needs our support.

We were very busy our first days back.

We were able to take many walks outside with students and support staff. Mom says it is sometimes easier for students to talk to counselors or teachers when they are walking a dog. Additionally, we provide a break from the stressors of the typical school day. Some students are on behavior plans and they earn time with us.

As with any new school year, there are new teachers at Mom’s school. They are amazed that we work at school and think it is wonderful that we are able to provide support to students in that setting. For us, it just is what it is. We do not know anything different, and we embrace our roles as therapy dog

Given how active and playful we are at home together, Mom thinks it is remarkable that we settle down and do such good work at school. We just get it – we understand that there are times to play, and there are times to work. There are students who really need us, and we are happy to be part of their education.

There is a downside to being back to school, though…

We are back to getting our weekly baths and daily brushings, as well as more frequent teeth brushing and ear cleaning! Oh well… it’s part of the deal when you are a working dog. And it is SO worth it!

We are looking forward to a terrific year at Mom’s school! ~Betty

Reading Buddy Lily poses with her three Kelly School readers at an end-of-the-year Reading Buddy Party

It’s been a great summer for Lily and King, and their sister Annie.

The weather has been summer-perfect… sun, clear blue sky, warmth and low humidity. You couldn’t order it up any better than that. But, last week, Reading Buddies Lily and King noticed the big yellow school buses passing by our house, signaling that school was starting up and they would soon be back on duty as Reading Buddies helping young children feel more confident as they read aloud.

Lily and King love their their therapy dog job as Reading Buddies.

They LOVE kids and enjoy spending one-on-one time with each of the students who reads stories to them each week. Who wouldn’t like a job like that? Lots of petting. Lots of hugs. And even some kisses! It’s a win-win situation for dog and child. The child loves spending time with the dog and feels good about himself as his confidence in reading aloud grows. Through the school year, a special bond between the Reading Buddy and each child develops. Great successes happen… all through the love of a dog.

King loving his job as a Bright Spot Therapy Dog spends time with graduate students at Bay Path University during exams.

Lily and King need to be patient. It takes time for school to get underway.

Reading Buddies usually start helping in October after routines in each classroom have been established. In the meantime, Lily and King will start participating in a full schedule of group Bright Spot Therapy Dog events that take place on college campuses, healthcare facilities, and area businesses. Bright Spot dogs go wherever therapy dogs can be of help.

Participants in this therapy dog training class are ready to move on to their individual evaluations after successfully completing the Bright Spot Therapy Dog Training course.

Have you been thinking about doing therapy dog work with your friendly, well-trained dog? If so, now is the time to get started.

After our summer break, Bright Spot Therapy Dogs is poised for a busy fall season with our first Therapy Dog Training Class starting on September 10, 2017. Bright Spot serves volunteers and facilities throughout New England. Our training classes are held at Animal Alliances conveniently located on Damon Road, right off the exit from I-91 in Northampton. The training course is completed in two, 2-hour sessions held on Sunday mornings from 9:30-11:30.

Our classes are kept small to enhance each team’s hands-on experience learning the skills and techniques necessary for making meaningful therapy dog visits. Upon successful completion of the course, the perspective team moves on to their one-on-one evaluation held in an actual nursing home setting where the twosome demonstrates to the evaluator their ability to interact with those they are visiting. Along the way, the evaluator offers tips and suggestions to improve the visiting experience for both the recipient and and team.

Class participants take turns role-playing as patients using some of the equipment they might encounter visiting in a nursing home or other healthcare setting.

Here’s what Bright Spot volunteer Linda Abrams had to say after she and her dog Zuri completed their training…

Zuni and I passed our evaluation and are now volunteering at a nursing home in Sunderland. We both want to thank you for your excellent training sessions. They gave us the skills and confidence to begin as volunteers.

Therapy Dog teams learn the skills and techniques to use when visiting a patient in bed.

Now is a good time to sign up while there is still space left in the September class.

For details on our therapy dog training and the process involved to become a certified Bright Spot Therapy Dog team, check-out our website today! We look forward to meeting you and your dog in September.

Betty, therapy dog in training, makes friends with two students at the Melican Middle School

Many SayHelloSpot readers will remember the inspiring weekly reports from Coco, the Bright Spot Therapy Dog that went to school with her teammate Michelle Karb, principal of Robert E. Melican Middle School in Northborough, Massachusetts, and helped hundreds of students build self-esteem, perform better in school, and was simply on-hand to comfort and be a friend to all who needed her at the school.

With over 650 students and over 100 staff members, Coco was performing a huge service to the school. When Coco retired, it left a tremendous void. But, not for long…

Here’s Betty…

My name is Betty. I am a 17 month-old labradoodle. You may remember my sister, Coco, who was the first-ever therapy dog at the Robert E. Melican Middle School in Northborough, Massachusetts, where my mom is the principal. Coco spent over 2000 hours working with the students and staff at Mom’s school. Before she retired, she taught me everything I needed to know about being a therapy dog.

Eight-week-old Betty receives loving care and training from big sister Coco.

Coco and I bonded quickly in March of 2016 when I came to live with her and the rest of the family. I was 8 weeks-old at the time, and she was very accepting of my churlish puppy antics. She also helped me learn how to be calm when I needed to be. Coco retired from her work at Mom’s school the same month I began living with my new family. Mom and Coco made it clear to me that I was to follow in Coco’s paw prints and become the next therapy dog at MMS.

Mom brought me to school with her for the first time in April of 2016, and I was an immediate hit with the students – who doesn’t love a cute and bubbly puppy? At that point, I was considered a therapy dog in training, wearing a yellow training vest, and continuing to learn my manners and basic commands, as I became accustomed to the sounds, smells, and other stimulation of what would soon become my second home. I had a strong several weeks last year, logging well over 150 hours.

Betty as an official Bright Spot Therapy Dog provides a calming break for this staff member.

This year, I continued my training, participating in obedience classes and therapy dog class, and working on my skills at Mom’s school. In March of 2017, I became a certified Bright Spot Therapy Dog.  Students noticed immediately that I had gone from my yellow training vest to my official blue vest.

Jackson, wearing a yellow therapy dog In training vest, starts learning to meet-and-greet students as they arrive at school.

In January of 2017, we added another member to our family. Jackson, my littermate, came to live with Mom, Dad, my older sister, Sophie, and me.  Mom immediately began bringing him to her school as a therapy dog in training. He continues to work on his skills, attending training classes and working with students and staff at Mom’s school.

The last day of school was yesterday. I logged well over 700 hours at Mom’s school this year, and Jackson well over 300 hours. We absolutely LOVE working. We work with students in the therapeutic program, students in the language-based program, students in the behavior specialist’s room, and students in the guidance suite. We work with students with special needs and with typical students. We have become important members of the Melican Middle School staff. I even attended presentations with Mom on some evenings, and met several incoming 6th graders who are anxious about beginning middle school in the fall.

When off-duty, Betty, Jackson, and Sophie (also a Bright Spot Therapy Dog) enjoy lots of fun together.

When we are not working, we enjoy playing and wrestling together, and hanging out with Sophie. We will miss the students and staff at Mom’s school, but we are excited to go swimming, kayaking, and hiking this summer.  ~Betty