For my many readers who follow Coco’s inspiring Therapy Dog work, here’s this week’s installment of Coco’s Report…
I went to school with Mom Monday, Wednesday, and Friday again this week. I begin each day by helping Mom open the school and get ready for the day. I go with her to deliver teacher coverage slips to classrooms, and then we practice obedience. Once students begin to arrive, I meet with some of them in the office, and one of my special friends and her guidance counselor take me for a walk.
On Monday, I met with many students in one-on-one settings and in small groups. Mom had a faculty meeting after school and then another meeting until 4:30, so I napped in her office for two hours at the end of the day, which I thoroughly enjoyed. As much as I love working with the students and staff at Melican, I am always tired at the end of the day.
On Wednesday, I worked with lots of students again. The guidance counselor and the behavior specialist were happy to share time with me for most of the day, helping students. One student, who suffers from depression and has other struggles, was crying in the school psychologist’s office. He was fixated on something that had happened earlier in the day that was really not a huge deal. To him, however, it was. The school psychologist found me, and brought me to the student. As soon as he saw me, his eyes lit up and he forgot what he was upset about. He and I know each other well, and we are very connected. He was able to attend the rest of his classes for the day. The psychologist later said to Mom, “Coco saved the day again.”
Mom and I also spent time in the sixth grade learning center for the last ten minutes of class, and most students welcomed the break as they always do. Later, Mom and I visited one of Northborough’s elementary schools to talk about whether or not it makes sense for me to work with some of the elementary students toward the end of the year. After the school day ended, two students interviewed and videoed Mom and me. They asked questions about me and my work at Melican, and Mom answered them. I am excited to think that I will be in the video for incoming sixth grade parents and students. Mom and I then traveled to Greenfield for our weekly class at NB Productions at 6:00.
Fridays are always interesting days at school. Mom and I started our day scrambling around to get coverage for the teachers who were absent. Mom always feels stressed at this point in the day – I can feel it – but she says I help keep her calmer than she would otherwise be. Uncle Tom (the head custodian) came to the office to visit with me for a few minutes. He brought me some milk bones, which I absolutely LOVE. After we delivered all the coverage slips to classrooms, Mom and I worked on obedience. A few teachers stopped in the hall to say hi to me, which was nice. As Mom and I were returning to the office, several teachers stopped us in the hall to talk to Mom and to pet me. They were asking about my history, and Mom talked about how I was a breast cancer survivor. She talked about how I had had puppies when I was younger, and she referenced my saggy belly. After the saggy belly comment, one of the teachers responded, “Oh I hear ya, Coco!” That comment got my mother and the teachers laughing – what a way to start the day!
Mom and I met with so many students one-on-one in the morning. They were all excited to see me and to talk to Mom. Two English language learners came to share a poem with us. First, they read the poem; next, they shared posters they had created about personification and metaphors. Finally, they explained their favorite parts of the poem to us. It was a really great poem about the beach. They are working on sensory details, so they sat in silence for three minutes while they listened to me, watched me, and felt and smelled my fur. I think they are going to write a poem about me!
I worked with students in small group studies, sitting with them as they completed assignments. At one point in the day, more students interviewed and videoed Mom and me. Later, I spent some time with students with severe disabilities, letting them pet me, and gently taking treats from them. I have grown very fond of those students, and look forward to working with them once or twice each week. After homeroom connection, two seventh grade boys came to Mom’s office to take me for a brief walk, which I loved. It was cold, but the fresh air and stretching felt good to me. The two boys were so excited to be given that privilege. Mom told them they could do that every Friday.
Toward the end of the day, eight sixth grade girls were crying in the guidance area. They asked their counselor if they could spend some time with me. Apparently, one of their friends had just moved and they were upset. I let them pet me, and they seemed to feel a little better before they left for the weekend. After school, I spent two hours in the office with Mom as she finished up some paperwork and debriefed with different staff members. I worked with over 65 students and 20 adults on Friday!!
I love my work at the Melican Middle School. I look forward to going with Mom and making students and staff happy. Saturday, Mom and I will visit Soldiers’ Home with many other Bright Spot therapy dog teams, and Sunday, we will visit our local nursing home. ~Coco