Coco fans: it’s been another amazing week for this very special Bright Spot Therapy Dog. Bright Spot Molly deserves special mention,too, as her role as a Therapy Dog at Melican Middle School takes shape. Read on…
I went to school with Mom on Wednesday and Friday again this week, and Molly came to school on Tuesday and Thursday. Between the two of us, Mom says we are making a huge difference for people.
Molly seems to really be settling in at school. In her first couple of visits, she did a lot of sniffing and looking around, trying to figure out her new surroundings. This week, when Julie (her mother) brought her, she hopped out of the car each day and strutted into school like she was happy and ready to work. She met so many people this week. Even though everyone thanks her for all of her work, I am sure that Molly is getting a lot of joy and reward out of being so loved by all of the people in the MMS community, just like I do.
Julie meets with a student each week, and part of that meeting includes a quiet relaxation or meditation exercise. This week, the student asked Julie if they could walk Molly during the visit. As they walked, the student talked about how much she loved the leaves and the temperature, and she enjoyed holding Molly’s leash and making observations of Molly as she sniffed around the ground. When they got back to Julie’s office, Julie asked the student if she was ready for the meditation. She kept petting Molly and said, “No, I still want to pet Molly, and that walk was really relaxing!” Sometimes a nice, quiet dog walk in the leaves is just as good as meditating. Dogs are definitely good for the soul!
Some eighth grade students were having a tough day on Tuesday. One of them was just coming back from a long absence, and another was just struggling to stay focused in class. Molly and Julie were heading out for a quick walk and Julie asked if they wanted to join them. The girls both said YES excitedly and they took a nice, slow walk in the sunshine together. It only lasted about five minutes, but it was a nice chance for the girls to talk with each other about their struggles. These two girls do not normally hang out together, but they talked very easily and comfortably alongside Julie and Molly. Taking a break from the stresses of school and life is important for everyone, and doing that with a dog is even better.
One student put it best this week after spending some time with Molly. He asked Julie how many walks Molly got each day when she was at school. He said, “She probably gets at least two or three a day.” Julie told him that most days, Molly gets at least five (but usually more) walks every day at school.” He said, “Wow. She really has the life!” I agree – we both are very fortunate to be able to work at MMS with the students and staff.
Mom and I get to school Wednesday at 6:15 a.m. One of the custodians always comes to see me early. On Wednesday, I ran up to him, he squatted down and rubbed my head and ears. As he hugged me, he said, “There – now I am all set. I am ready for my day.” He did the same thing on Friday. He told Mom that he needs his “Coco-fix” to get him through the day. Later in the day, a parent stopped by to pick up her son. While she waited in the office, she knelt down and petted me and said, “I need a therapy dog. I have heard all about you, Coco. I really needed this.”
I spent the day working with students one-on-one with Mom and in small groups with the behavior specialist. I got to take many walks and snuggle with lots of students as they completed work in the behavior specialist’s room. Students in that room consider me part of their “gang” and they walk me, talk to me, and pet me while they complete work and talk about life. Mom says I help promote a positive feeling in that room and provide lots of comfort to the students who spend time there, whatever that means. Mom and I met some sixth graders we had not had the chance to meet before. When they come to Mom’s office (either individually or in pairs), they sit on the floor with Mom and me and talk with Mom about how they like sixth grade, things that are easy for them, things that are difficult for them, and anything else that comes up. Students always ask Mom about me – my age, how long Mom has been bringing me to schools, etc. I just lie between them as they talk, getting petted and resting my head in students’ laps.
Last period, Mom got a call from a teacher, asking if a student could come down to spend some time with me – he was very stressed. Of course Mom was happy to have him. He is the same boy who has been on time for school ever since he has been “earning” the privilege of taking Molly and me for early morning walks each day he is on time. When he got to Mom’s office, he sat next to me a petted me while he talked to Mom about feeling overwhelmed with a paper he was trying to write. As he talked and petted me, he smiled and was able to calm down. Mom reminded him that he would get through it, that he has many people here to help him, and not to let it ruin his day. After five minutes or so, he thanked Mom and me, kissed me, and headed back up to class.
After school, we headed to Greenfield to visit with our friend in the nursing home. She is always glad to see me, and I enjoy my time with her. After our visit, Mom took me for a nice long walk, and then I napped in the car while Mom helped with a class at NB Productions.
On Friday, I got to take so many walks because it was such a nice day. During Homeroom Connection, there were hundreds of students outside, and each walk I took during that time with specific students turned into many students coming to pet me and talk to Mom. I love all the attention. The superintendent was visiting our building on Friday, and she was so happy to see me. She loves me, and is very supportive of the therapy dog work in our schools. She squatted down, rubbed me, and let me kiss her face while she talked with Mom.
At the end of the day, I went outside with Mom for dismissal. Lots of students wanted to pet me and say good-bye before the long weekend. One of the buses was fifteen minutes late. Mom says I was especially helpful with the students who ride that bus – I guess some of them have a tough time when the routine changes and they have to wait. All of them petted me and talked to Mom.
On our way home, Mom and I stopped in Auburn again to visit with our friend in the nursing home. We almost didn’t stop because Mom and I were both very tired from the week, and because the traffic was a nightmare. We are so glad we did – his wife and stepson were there, waiting to meet me. Mom and I stayed for over thirty minutes. The man petted me, hugged me, and let me kiss him over and over again. I could tell how happy his wife and stepson were to see him smiling. As Mom and I left the nursing home, we each had a little extra bounce in our step. Despite feeling tired before we went in, the visit with our new friend and his family gave Mom and me a boost of energy – I cannot think of a better way to kick off a long weekend. ~Coco