Bright Spot Therapy Dog Coco has made an immense difference in the lives of the students and staff at the Robert E. Melican Middle School in Northborough, Massachusetts where her teammate Michelle is principal. In her gentle, quiet manner, she has provided a calming, non-judgmental presence, companionship and friendship. She is much-loved by all who know her.
Here’s Coco…
Today was my last day at Mom’s school after nearly 2000 hours of providing comfort and support to students and staff there.
I began my work at the Robert E. Melican Middle School in December 2014, and I have enjoyed every second of my time there. My work has included lying with students when they were completing homework and studying, providing comfort to students who were feeling sad, listening to students read, and helping give students the courage to talk about their feelings. I went for hundreds of walks with students who needed a break from the stressors of the typical school day or who just wanted to talk with Mom. I meditated with some students, celebrated successes with others, and calmed students with anxiety. I comforted parents, snuggled with custodians, and lay at the feel of administrative assistants. I welcomed incoming sixth graders to the middle school, I attended meetings, and I accompanied Mom to presentations about therapy dog work in schools.
Today was special. Many students and staff wanted to say good-bye to me. Mom and I spent time in the hallway and in the office area so I was accessible to everyone. Aside from the break I took in the car, there was a steady stream of students and staff in Mom’s office and in the hallways saying their good-byes. Rather than try to describe the interactions I had with hundreds of students and staff members, I’d like to share some of the quotes I heard today:
She has been here for us for all three of our years at Melican – she started when we were in sixth grade…
We will miss you, Coco.
Thanks for everything, Coco.
Enjoy your retirement.
She has really done a lot for us.
I love you so much, Coco.
I am going to miss you.
You are so sweet and so calm – I wish today wasn’t your last day.
Oh Coco, I am really going to miss having you here…
Thank you so much for helping me be a better guidance counselor.
You really helped me last year when I was feeling depressed.
I do not completely understand everything I heard today, but I certainly felt love and caring from everyone.
It’s hard to describe the feeling of retiring from a job I love so much. Deep down, I know the work I did as the first-ever therapy dog at Mom’s school was significant and very special. And I know I made a difference for hundreds of people. I have mixed emotions about my retirement. On the one hand, I wish I could go to work with Mom at her school for the rest of my life – it truly is my second home. On the other hand, I recognize that I am old and that I am slowing down. I do not hear well. I have a hard time walking long distances since my amputation surgery in October. I bark more than I used to because I get confused. I am sick – I have cancer. I feel pretty good and I refuse to let cancer define me, but Mom and I know I will die of the dreaded disease.
I am happy and I love life. I will embrace my reality – it was time for me to retire from Mom’s school. I will miss my friends there, but I will continue to live every day like it is my last, lounging around in the sun, snuggling with my siblings, going for walks, and bringing joy and comfort to the residents of the nursing homes I will continue to visit. ~Coco