The students at Robert E. Melican Middle School in Northborough, Massachusetts, are very lucky. They don’t have just one therapy dog at their school, they have two! Coco’s pal Molly, also a Bright Spot Therapy Dog, started back to school last week, much to the delight of students, staff, and parents. Coco writes to tell us all about the good things she and Molly did last week.
Here’s Coco…
Julie is one of the guidance counselors at Mom’s school. Molly is her dog, and she is also a trained and certified Bright Spot Therapy dog. She went to school on Thursday and I went on Friday.
In a phone conversation this week about her child, a parent asked Julie when the dogs would be returning to school. Her son had regular meetings with Coco and Molly last year and, like many students, wanted to reconnect with the dogs as soon as the year started. Julie let the parent know that the dogs had started back at school and were looking forward to getting back into their weekly routines. The parent responded by saying, “Oh good. It is so great that you have the dogs here at school. I talk about it with my friends, and none of their children’s schools do anything like that. It makes such a difference for so many kids.”
Thursday was Molly’s first day back to school. As soon as she stepped out of the car in the parking lot, she remembered where she was. She walked right into the main office and led Julie to her office. It was so nice to hear students and teachers call out, “Hi Molly!” as they saw her in the hallway throughout the day.
The highlight of Molly’s day was when a student came to visit her during lunch period. The student and Molly had lunch together twice a week last year, so it was only fitting that they started the tradition back up right away. The student walked into the office and gave Molly a big hug, and Molly sat down next to him for most of the lunch period. There are many times that Julie reports that she feels like she’s not even in the room, because the student and Molly have such a strong connection. At one point during the lunch period the student looked right at Molly and said in a soft voice, “It’s so good to have you back.”
Molly spent some time with another student who has very high anxiety. He has a lot of supports scheduled into his day in order for him to be successful, and during one of his break times, he came into Julie’s office to visit with Molly. He sat down next to her and there was an immediate connection. After his break time was over, he told Molly he loved her and that he was looking forward to his next visit with her.
Molly also spent some time in the behavior specialist’s room. When Julie dropped her off, some students welcomed her back and one said, “Yes! Molly’s back!” She lay on the floor in the middle of a bunch of students as they completed some classwork. It really felt like she never left for summer vacation!
I went to school with Mom on Friday. When I first got out of the car, one of the custodians was putting up the flag for the day. He came over to me and said, “Give me some of that, “ and I kissed him repeatedly. He said, “It is great to see you – I needed that today…” I spent some time in Mom’s office as she got situated for the day, and then I went with the behavior specialist to her room.
In the behavior specialist’s room, as I always do, I snuggled with students as they completed schoolwork. One student was taking a test. I could tell he was anxious, so I got as close to him as I could. He and I are very close, and he worked intently as I snuggled with him. Many other students came to spend time with me. One little boy is extremely anxious. I had met him once before, but I was able to spend more time with him on Friday, and I can tell we are going to grow very close. He has a dog at home named Coco, which is only one of our many connections.
Later in the day, Mom, Julie, and I met with one of the students I met with last year at least twice each week. He talked with us about his summer, the start of his school year, and his plans for the weekend. For the entire conversation, he sat on the floor with me, petting me and snuggling with me, which I loved. He can be a little rough with me at times, but on Friday he was not. Mom says he has matured.
Julie and I met with several students, as well, and I enjoyed all the attention. I know I am technically “working” but I thoroughly enjoy what I am doing so it does not feel like work.
At the end of the day, I went with Julie to the cafeteria for dismissal, and then I waited outside in front of the building with Mom and a very anxious student, as we waited for his transportation to arrive. Mom says I helped him immensely. When his ride arrived, he wanted Mom and me to walk with him to the van, which we did. He introduced me to the other students in the van, and they took turns petting me.
I was tired after the day at work, but I loved knowing I had helped so many people. I will be going to school on Monday with Mom, but I am scheduled for surgery next week, so I will be on medical leave until I am able to return. ~Coco