Bright Spot Therapy Dogs visited St. Stanislaus School in Chicopee this morning. Children in Kindergarten through Third Grade gathered in the school’s gymnasium to learn what therapy dogs do in the community.
Bright Spot volunteer Sydney Flum-Stockwell spoke to the group about the extensive training she has done with her Australian Labradoodle Oscar to prepare him for therapy dog work. She put Oscar through his paces, giving basic commands which the well-trained dog performed on cue. In addition, Oscar added a few of his tricks that he does when he visits patients at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. Oscar is one of several Bright Spot Therapy Dogs who are part of the Hospital’s Therapy Dog Program.
Bright Spot Therapy Dogs Lilo and Tucker, two docile Great Danes demonstrated by their good manners what Therapy Dogs are like while their teammate Ern Damon spoke to the group about the Children’s Reading Buddies Program at the Westhampton Elementary School. Lilo and Tucker, joined by Bright Spots Lily, Zack, and Violet compose the team of Reading Buddies who listen as Pre-K through Grade Five students read one-on-one with a dog to improve their reading skills.
Bright Spot Brinkley stole the show with his repertoire of tricks. What a smart dog! He can read the command cards held in front of him by his teammate Ned Polan and perform the written command. After reading and executing the Sit, Down, and Around commands, Brinkley took a Bow when Ned produced that cue card. This elicited a round of applause from the lower school audience. Brinkley ended his performance by bowling. Using his muzzle to push the ball, Brinkley knocked down every pin on the second try. More applause, louder this time!
All dogs are wonderful, but not all dogs can be Therapy Dogs. I explained to the group how dogs are tested (evaluated) and show that they are able to work as certified Bright Spot Therapy Dogs. It’s all about the friendly personality of the dog and how well the dog is trained. In addition to the different breeds in attendance at today’s presentation, I explained that Therapy Dogs come in all sizes and breeds. My sweet 3-year-old English Setter Lily sat patiently at my side, showing her proper therapy dog manners as I talked to the group.
Questions and Answers followed the talks. Then the favorite part: time to pet and hug these friendly, gentle Therapy Dogs. Going into the talk today, we didn’t know what to expect from a group so young and so large. We sincerely commend the young audience of 140 lower school children for being such a well-behaved, attentive group. It was a pleasure speaking with the students at St. Stanislaus School.