As you know, each Friday, Coco emails me her report. At the end of this Friday’s report, Coco wrote me a note saying how sorry she was to hear about my boy James. She said her Mom had told her all about him. I hope Coco realizes that by sending me her report to read, she has brightened my day as she has brightened the day for so many. I think your day will be brightened, as well, by reading what this amazing Bright Spot Therapy Dog has been up to this week. In her own word, here’s Coco…
This week was another busy one for me at school with Mom. I went with her Tuesday (instead of the planned Wednesday) because of the predicted snowfall, and then again on Friday. I worked with the guidance counselor and the behavior specialist for most of the day Tuesday, meeting some students I had not met before, and working with some I have gotten to know well over the past several weeks. In total, I worked with over 50 students, many in 1:1 counseling situations, and some in groups of 4-8 in studies and counseling clusters.
Mom and I also visited the sub-separate classroom with students with serious disabilities. We visit this classroom every Friday, but the teacher asked us to come in Tuesday, as well, and we are glad we did. The students were so happy with the additional time with me, petting me, talking to me, feeding me treats, and letting me give them kisses.
One of the students who reads to me every Friday also read to me Tuesday because he really needed a break from the academic and social pressures of his day. Mom said he had a lot on his mind, and some time with me would help him calm down and refocus. He read about black holes and mountain peaks, which provided me with some interesting dreams as I drifted in and out of sleep. His voice is very soothing…
Mom tells me that I am making a difference in many people’s lives. On Thursday, there were parent-teacher conferences at Mom’s school. She said a mother came in specifically to thank her for letting her son spend time with me each week, that he really enjoys the time and that it has made a big difference in his life. He had a chocolate lab once, but his family moved and had to give her away. Mom ran into another parent between afternoon and evening parent-teacher conferences when she was shopping, and she also thanked Mom for bringing me into school so her son can spend time with me each week. She asked Mom what my favorite treats are, and Mom wisely told her that I like all treats. During the evening parent-teacher conferences, several parents stopped by the office to talk to Mom about me. Based on some of the conversations Mom had with parents, she has added a few more students to my ever-expanding caseload.
On Friday, I worked with over 35 students and 15 adults. I began my day by visiting with several teachers and custodians, and working on obedience for 15 minutes. Some of the PTO members were setting up for the staff breakfast before school, and they were happy to see me and give me some attention. Next, I worked with students in the guidance area with the counselors. One girl read a book about animals to me. First period, two English language learners came to Mom’s office to read to me. They read an interesting play about rabbits and pigs and then a poem about being thankful. As I have grown accustomed to doing, I worked with students throughout the day in 1:1 counseling situations with the guidance counselor and the school psychologist, and I worked with the behavior specialist with small groups of students. Mom and I also met with many students 1:1 in her office, and we visited the two sub-separate classrooms and worked with students in those classrooms.
After school, a few teachers came to Mom’s office to see me. One teacher said, “I need a therapy dog break!” She explained to Mom that she was on her way home to take her dog to the vet for blood work before her surgery, which had been postponed twice already. Another teacher stopped by and said, “Oh, Coco…I need some therapy.” Mom says I help the adults sometimes as much as I help the students.
As I always am after a full day of work, I am exhausted, but in a good way. I met some new friends, visited with some old ones, and I know I made a lot of people happy today. And that is what it is all about.
Thank you, Coco, for taking the time to write your report so others can be inspired to follow in your paw prints. Every school should have a Coco!