I love having Coco as my weekly guest blogger. Every weekend, she promptly submits her post to me, right on schedule, and I get to sit back with a cup of coffee and read what this remarkable Therapy Dog has accomplished over the past week. And now, for her fans: Here’s Coco…
This week I went to school with Mom Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. As usual, I had a wonderful week. Mom says I continue to make a huge difference for the students and staff at her school, and she and I find the work extremely rewarding.
On Monday, I spent lots of time with students with the behavior specialist and guidance counselor. Mom and I also worked with small groups of students. I got to take several walks outside. After school, I attended part of the staff meeting, and then I napped in Mom’s office until it was time to go home.
On Wednesday, students in all three grades took their second MCAS math tests. These are the state tests that all students in Massachusetts take. Before everyone arrived, I helped Mom organize the test accommodation materials and practiced some obedience. As teachers came to sign out their testing materials from Mom, many of them petted me. Mom says I helped set the tone for teachers, keeping them calm.
I spent some time with students in the behavior specialist’s room before the actual test began, and then I was able to relax at Mom’s feet while she completed some work. The test session lasted for three hours, and then Mom got busy with test procedures, and then with student lunches, and I worked with the behavior specialist and with the guidance counselor as they worked with students. After school, Mom and I had our class in Greenfield. Sophie and Dad were there, as well – Mom and I are proud of how far Sophie and Dad have come over the past several weeks.
Friday, Mom and I only worked until noon because I had an appointment with the vet. Between 6:15 a.m. and noon, I was extremely busy. There were many teachers absent and only one sub in the building, so Mom had a lot of classroom coverage slips to deliver – I love that, though, because I get to walk around the school with Mom. I also worked on obedience. Next, I worked with students in the behavior specialist’s room and then with the guidance counselor – all that happened before school even started!
Mom and I met with several students one-on-one. One student, who had gone to the hospital earlier in the week for suicidal thoughts, was so happy to see me! She explained to Mom that she loves animals but her dad is allergic. Mom says I helped provide her with some comfort as she and Mom talked about home, feelings, going to the hospital, etc. Mom and I plan to check in with her at least once a week, maybe twice.
The assistant superintendent was at our school for a meeting, and she LOVES me. She petted me and let me give her kisses. The principal was appalled that she let me kiss her on the mouth, but most of the students and staff at school do – who doesn’t love a slobbery kiss on the mouth from me? The assistant superintendent, the Southborough middle school principal, the school resource officers from Northborough and Southborough, our principal, and Mom were meeting to discuss safety protocols and our new plans for dealing with “threatening individuals” – the Assistant superintendent was talking about mental health issues being serious for people and as contributing factors to recent school shootings. Mom used the opportunity to talk about my impact on our school’s mental health this year. Mom talked about how she would love to help establish therapy dog programs in the other nine schools in the district, how relatively inexpensive it would be, and the difference our work has made for so many students and staff, and for our school culture. Although therapy dog programs are not the “answer” to the mental health issues facing society, they certainly are “part” of a solution. Mom and I are going to present to all district administrators at the end of the month, helping them see what we have done this year, and also offering to help others do the same for their schools.
I also spent some time with a student who was missing from her home two nights ago, and had been in several recent fights with her mom. She also ran away from her mom yesterday, and has many serious issues. She and I are very close and know each other well, and I was glad to see that she is OK. She was also very happy to see me.
Mom and I also spent some time with the students in our CASTLE program. These students have severe disabilities and disorders. As usual, one of the students was a little rough with me, but I understand that he is doing the best he can. The adults redirect and correct him, but he loves me so much and he gets so excited that he gets rough sometimes. Mom says I am extremely patient with him. The students in that program are full of so much love and joy, but they have deficits that prevent them from always being gentle with me. I am able to overlook those deficits and focus on each child’s individual spirit and love. Mom and I love visiting with students in CASTLE.
Mom and I met with more students before we left for the vet. On our way out of the building, a few teachers stopped us so they could pet me. One of the teachers, whom Mom says has been having a tough time personally, said, “Oh, Coco – I just need a little therapy before you go,” as she petted me. She thanked Mom for letting her pet me before we left for the day.
I am pooped from the week, but I am excited to visit our local nursing home on Saturday. I thoroughly enjoy my work at the Robert E. Melican Middle School and I look forward to working there next week. ~Coco