Honestly, this post is truly amazing. Coco is the epitome of the meaningful work therapy dogs do for those in need through the power of the human-canine bond. Please do take the time to read about Coco’s impact this week…
This week was a busy one at school. It was a four-day week, with Friday off for students and staff (and dogs). I went to school with Mom Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and Molly went on Tuesday.
On Monday, Mom and I met with lots of students one-on-one and in small groups. One little boy, who struggles with a potentially terminal medical condition, came to see us to tell us his mother and boyfriend were splitting up. The boy curled up with me on my bed for thirty minutes and, through his tears, explained to Mom how devastated and shocked he was. He, his brother, his two dogs, his mother, and the boyfriend had been a family, living together for almost a year, and he was inconsolable. Mom and I were the first ones he talked to at school about his situation and Mom says I provided a caring and safe environment for him to share his feelings, which he typically has trouble doing. He was new to our school in the fall, and he meets with Molly at least once each week, and with me at least twice each week. Mom says I have helped him immensely. He was overwhelmed with sadness and left wondering where he would be living. Mom and I will continue to meet with him and listen to him through this difficult time.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday were MCAS testing days at the Melican Middle School. To start each of those days, Mom organizes student accommodation materials in an office space and ensures that proctors count materials and sign them out. Because of the high stakes tests, teachers get stressed. Mom decided it would make sense for me to help her with this task, so I relaxed in that office space as teachers came in and out. Many of them stopped to pet me or talk to me, and I could feel their stress levels decrease.
On Wednesday, Mom had a re-admittance meeting for a student who had been suspended from school. I stayed in her office with her for that meeting because the student and I are very close. As he and his mother spoke to Mom, they petted me and talked about wanting to get a dog of their own – but ONLY if they could find one like me. I am not sure what that meant, but Mom seemed to think they were referring to my calm and loving demeanor. The re-admittance meeting was short, but Mom says I helped both the student and his mother through that process. After school, I went with the behavior specialist to Minecraft Club, where students play something on the computers, and then I accompanied the behavior specialist to late buses. I enjoyed these new experiences and all the extra attention that came with them.
Mom and I went out for a drive and then a walk, and then I came back to school with her, where we sat in the audience at School Committee. Before the meeting, the videographer and the building administrators all petted me and talked to me. I slept through most of the meeting – in fact I was snoring – but I did perk up when the elementary principal who was presenting her School Improvement Plan mentioned that because of me, she now has a therapy dog at her school and that in her fourteen years as an administrator, she has never seen something have so much impact on the students.
Thursday was another long day for Mom and me. I began the day helping Mom with her MCAS duties and I ended the day at a parent night with her. After our MCAS responsibilities in the early morning, I spent most of the day in the behavior specialist’s room with students I have grown to love. I did not even see Mom again until 2:00 p.m. because she got so busy. Throughout he day, I was able to take many walks outside, snuggle with students as they completed work, calm students before and after MCAS testing, and I even participated in a birthday party! At the end of the day, I went outside with Mom to supervise as students boarded buses to head home for a long weekend and later, I helped Mom with late buses.
After school, Mom and I went for a ride and a walk, and then I joined her for the Fifth Grade Parent Orientation. The principal, team leaders, PTO chairs, and Mom presented. Mom brought me to the podium with her when it was her turn. She explained her role as an assistant principal, how she works with students, and she introduced me to the nearly two hundred parents in attendance. Later in the program, the principal shared an iMovie that students created for the evening, and I was in that, too! After the ninety-minute program, several parents came up to pet me and talk to Mom about me.
On the way home that night, Mom told me that I had done a great job all week and that she was very proud of how I had handled two extremely long days. I enjoy the work and the attention, and I know I am making a difference. Mom says I make her better at her job, too. Mom and I are exhausted from the week, but we feel wonderful about the impact we had on so many people. ~Coco