At Work

Bright Spot Therapy Dog Teams visited three area colleges in the past seven days.  Twenty-two Therapy Dog Teams participated in all, with some of the Teams attending each of the three events.

Clearly, it’s unanimous among the approximately 2,000 colleges students that took a break from studies to visit with the Therapy Dog Teams:  they LOVE having the dogs visit during exams.

In fact, many remarked:  We should have Therapy Dog Teams on campus all the time.

We visited the University of Massachusetts-Amherst last Wednesday, Bay Path University on Monday, and Elms College today.

Some students stopped by before their exams to get relaxed by petting the dogs.

Some stopped by after their exams to lie on the floor next to the dogs and unwind.

Some students who didn’t have any exams on the day of the event, planned to spend the entire length of the event hanging out with the dogs.

When setting up Teams for the events, I try to include dogs of all sizes, breeds, and mixed breeds.

Bright Spot has quite a variety of Therapy Dogs to offer:  a tiny Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a giant Great Dane, and our medium sized dogs – a Lab, a Bouvier des Flandres, several Golden Retrievers, Australian Cobberdogs, English Setters, a red Standard Poodle, a Greyhound, and the unique Mixes.

Students are interested in learning all about the work of our Therapy Dog Teams.  What kinds of places do the Therapy Dogs visit?

What qualifies a dog to become a Therapy Dog?  What kind of training is involved?

Our volunteers enjoy talking to the students, learning about their studies and future plans.

I love listening to the comments:  This has become a tradition on our campus now – having the Therapy Dogs visit during exams.

My favorite:  I don’t know how this is happening.  I’m sitting here petting your dog, and I’m feeling more and more relaxed the longer I sit here with him.  This is great!

For readers new to Say Hello Spot, let me catch you up on the key players mentioned in Coco’s weekly reports:  Coco, our main character, is a certified Bright Spot Therapy Dog.  She has been a working Therapy Dog for over one year at the Robert E. Melican Middle School in Northborough, Massachusetts .  The Mom Coco keeps referring to is her Bright Spot teammate and the assistant principal of the Melican School.  The student population of the school is 650.  Molly just recently began a certified Bright Spot Therapy Dog and now helps out at the school, as well.  Finally, Julie is Molly’s teammate and the school’s guidance counselor.  These sweet, gentle Therapy Dogs play important roles at the school – and, thanks to Coco’s weekly reports, we get to read all about the meaningful work they do for students in need.

Here’s Coco…

This week was another busy one for Molly and me. Molly went to school on Tuesday and Thursday, and I went on Wednesday and Friday.

 Molly met with many students on Tuesday, taking walks and meeting with students one-on-one and in groups. One student came down to talk with Julie on Tuesday, and Molly was sitting behind Julie’s chair when the student came in.  She is a student who has seen Molly a handful of times, but she must have forgotten Molly was there that day.  She sat down and when Molly poked her head out, the student realized she was there and said, “Oh, hi, Molly! I love you!” and went over and gave Molly a big hug.  It was so nice.  Julie and the student had a good conversation and, on the way out, the student walked over to Molly, knelt down in front of her, gave her a kiss, and said, “Bye Molly.  I love you.”

On Wednesday, I spent time with many different students, taking walks, and sitting with students while they completed their schoolwork. Mom and I met with a student who explained that his last day would be Friday – he had only been at Mom’s school for four weeks. He was finally beginning to connect with Mom and other adults in the building. I have mentioned him before in my posts, but this boy lived in a motel room for the four weeks he was at Mom’s school. He is very shy and withdrawn, which is to be expected from someone who has changed schools as many times as he has. Evidently, he has moved many times and has attended many schools in his short life. He loves dogs, and the bonds he formed with Molly and me helped him feel like a part of the Melican Middle School. He brushed us and walked us regularly, and he visited staff in the office to try to catch some extra time with Molly or me, whichever one of us was there.  He seemed sad telling Mom that he would be moving again.

 I also spent time in the behavior specialist’s room with students as they took breaks from their stressful days, completed homework, and spent time bonding with one another. As happens often, each of the custodians and secretaries let me give them kisses, and they petted me and talked to me. It is interesting that so many adults seem to appreciate my presence.

After school, Mom and I went to Greenfield, where she and I visited with our friend in the nursing home there. After that, Mom and I took a nice walk, and then I waited in the car while she helped teach a class at NB Productions.

On Thursday, the student I mentioned above, whose last day would be Friday, came down to visit with Molly in Julie’s office.  He sat with her for a long time, just petting her and talking about different dogs he knew.  The student shared with Julie that he was moving at the end of the week and that he had actually moved a lot of times in his life.  It was going to be hard to have another move, but he said he really liked Mom and Julie’s school in the short time he spent here.  He said he really loved seeing Molly and Coco, and he pointed out that out of all of the schools he has attended, “This is the only school that has therapy dogs.”  Molly met with many students throughout the day, helping calm those who were upset or anxious, and helping Julie connect to lots of others. Mom says Molly is doing great at school!

On Friday, Mom got very busy with an investigation and subsequent parent and student meetings. As a result, I spent much of my day in the guidance counselor’s office and in the behavior specialist’s room. In those spaces, I was able to work with many students in one-on-one settings and in small groups. The boy I mentioned above, whose last day it was, spent one last time brushing and walking me (with Mom – she took a break from her investigation to say good-bye). Molly and I gave him a special card and present. He have me a long hug before saying good-bye. Mom says I am a huge reason he was able to connect with people at school, and that I helped make his four weeks at school very special – maybe the best four weeks at a school he has had. In the short time he was with us, the student and I developed a deep bond and a special connection – I will miss him.

After school, Mom and I went to the nursing home in Auburn to visit with our friend there. As he always is, he was very happy to see me. He had four milk bones waiting on his table for me. He hugged me, asked me for lots of kisses, and talked with Mom about going home on December 11^th. His wife was there at the beginning of the visit, and she was also talking about him going home. Since I am having surgery on Monday, I will not be able to visit him this week. Mom says she will bring my sister, Sophie, to see him on Wednesday. Sophie is in training to become a therapy dog. Our friend seemed excited to meet Sophie, but I could tell he was a little sad that I would not be coming this week.

As we left the nursing home, Mom told me that we would continue visiting there each Friday on our way home. She says a lot of other residents really enjoy my visits, too, and that we should continue. It sounds good to me – I like it there.  

~Coco  

P.S.  I will be recovering from surgery this week – since I will be out of work, I will not be able to write a post next week. 

Exams = Stress.  Therapy Dogs = Calm.  As stated by one student today who sat on the floor next to my Therapy Dog, King, I don’t know what’s going on here, or how it’s happening, but I’m feeling so relaxed, the more I sit here petting King.

At precisely 11:30 a.m., the doors of the Student Union Ballroom at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst opened and in came the students, all eager to spend time with the 18 Bright Spot Therapy Dogs seated with their handlers around the room.

It was a record-breaking crowd of 1300.  Our last three events each drew 1100 students from their studies.  It’s now become a tradition, one girl told me.  Students plan their semester around when the Therapy Dogs are coming to campus.  The event ran through 2:00 p.m. with a continuous flow of students throughout the day.

Students always remark at how well-behaved the dogs are.  Many ask questions about the training process involved in becoming a certified Therapy Dog.  One student lives locally and plans to start training her own dog to be a Bright Spot Therapy Dog.

They want to know where the dogs make their regular visits and how it is decided which dogs visit in hospitals, other healthcare environments, and which work with children.

The overall mood throughout the large ballroom was one of a soothing calm…  voices were low and muted.

And, as always, everyone involved: students, staff members, volunteers, and the dogs, all had a marvelous time.

Therapy Dog/Reading Buddy King now holds regular office hours at the Hilltown Charter School in Easthampton, Massachusetts.  On alternate Tuesday mornings, from 9:00-11:00 a.m., King is available to students in his own office space centrally located across from the school office.  His office is a cozy, 12’x 12′ room, windows on one wall, the other three walls lined with bookcases full of books.  On the floor are three, large, puffy pillows, perfect for King and a student to share.  In the photo above, King settles into position to greet his first student of the morning.

Just an hour ago, this very special dog was romping around our back field with his two sisters, Lily and Annie, madly chasing after each other in what is left of the Thanksgiving snowstorm.  Once suited up in his Therapy Dog uniform, consisting of his Bright Spot blue vest and official ID badge, this fellow is transformed into a calm, gentle, ready-to-go work Therapy Dog.

King truly enjoys his work.  He and I share this special passion of bringing comfort to others through the human-canine bond.  The children come, one-at-a-time, to King’s office at 15-minute intervals.  It’s a time to relax, pet the dog, chat a bit, and do some reading.  A soothing break from the rest of the day.

The students have especially enjoyed reading the Bright Spot Reading Buddy Book Series we’re developing.  Each book is about one of our Reading Buddies.  Today, some of the readers reread King’s book, then read MEET OWEN, and MEET COCO.  It’s a way to enjoy meeting the other Bright Spot Reading Buddy dogs in our program that service 12 other schools in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Worcester counties in Massachusetts.  Therapy Dogs have a wonderfully calming effect on children in the schools.

Coco – and Molly, too – had a very full week.  I love reading about all the meaningful things these two Bright Spot Therapy Dogs are doing to help people of all ages.

Here’s Coco…

This week, I went to school with Mom Monday and Wednesday. Molly went to school on Tuesday. In the two and a-half days we were there, we did a lot of meaningful work.

On Monday, I worked with many students in the behavior specialist’s room. One boy is having an especially difficult time re-adjusting to special education services. He went off an IEP at the end of last year, but he recently went back on, mostly for anxiety. Part of his plan includes spending one or two periods each day in the behavior specialist’s room getting some work done. He gets very stressed about work completion, and this way, he will be able to get most – maybe all – of his work done before leaving at the end of each day.  Mom says that after spending half the day in the behavior specialist’s room Monday because of some anxiety-related behavior issues, he settled in. He got lots of work done, asking for help when he needed it, and petting me to help keep him calm. Many of the students who work in that room have anxiety, and Mom says there is nothing better than a calm and non-judgmental dog to help with anxiety.

Despite the rain on Monday, I also took a few walks outside with groups of students. I enjoy listening to students’ conversations with Mom. Sometimes they talk about the stresses of school, sometimes they talk about their social lives, and sometimes they talk about upcoming plans or sporting events. Whatever the topics of conversation, it is clear to me that these students are happy to be walking with me. Mom says I help students form and maintain connections with each other and with her. There are many students who walk Molly and/or me regularly, but lots of other students sign up to walk one or both of us from time to time. Mom says it is pretty amazing that walking a dog has become such an integral part of so many students’ days at school.

After school, Mom and I went to Auburn to visit with our friend in the nursing home since we would not be able to see him Friday. He was asleep when we arrived, but he woke right up when I went to him and licked his hand. Like he always does, he had four biscuits waiting on his side table for me.  As he petted and hugged me, he talked with Mom about Thanksgiving and his family. He called a few staff members into his room to meet me, and he acted very proud to be showing me off. After we visited for a bit, Mom and I walked him down to dinner and then we said our good-byes. He is a very special friend to me – I always look forward to seeing him.

Molly was at school with Julie on Tuesday. One girl went to Julie’s office feeling a little sad because Thanksgiving was reminding her of a loved one who died last year.  It was about to be the first holiday season without her, and the emotions hit the student particularly hard that morning.  She spent some time talking with Julie and Molly about her friend who died and how much the friend meant to her family.  Molly sat quietly near the student and listened to her talk about her loved one.  The student is someone who sees Molly and Coco regularly, but it was very nice to have Molly nearby for this particular conversation.  Julie and Molly actually lost their special dog, Maggie, last year, too, so this holiday season will be a little bittersweet for them, as well.  

Also on Tuesday, a student had his regular lunchtime meeting with Julie and Molly.  At the end of the period as he was getting ready to leave, Julie wished him a happy Thanksgiving and told him that she is thankful for their weekly meetings and conversations.  Julie also said that Molly was very thankful for him, and that she really appreciates how nice the student is to her and how much kindness he shows her.  The student gave Molly a big hug and said, “I am very thankful for Molly and Coco.  Actually, our whole school is thankful for the dogs.  They really help everyone.”

On Wednesday, many students wanted to spend time with me. I took several walks outside and some inside when the weather turned rainy. The boy who now brushes me twice a week was so happy to see me. He brushed and petted me, and then we took a walk outside. He seems to really be opening up to Mom. She says it is because of me, that he does not really talk to many people because of his traumatic story (he and his family are currently living in a motel room), but he loves animals so much that he is able to connect through me. He seems like a very nice boy – sad and withdrawn, but very nice, and he LOVES me, and I love him. Mom says I am making a huge difference for him, that he has had a difficult life, that he is still in a very difficult situation, but that I am helping immensely. He looks forward to brushing me and walking me, and this helps him connect to people and to his new school.

There was a group of three boys working in the guidance suite on Wednesday. They needed a few breaks throughout their work session, so the school psychologist brought them outside with me to get some air and to have them burn off some energy. I know each of these students, and I was happy for some extra time with them this week.

Mom and I met with many students one-on-one in her office before the students left for the day. Each of them talked about Thanksgiving and their weekend plans. Mom says the holidays can be difficult for lots of people. Several of the students we met with talked about divorce and how they have gotten used to spending one holiday with one parent and one holiday with another. One sixth grader that we meet with at least twice each week, explained that it can be hard splitting holidays with her parents. She talked about not really understanding which family she is a part of. She clearly loves both her mother and her father, but has a tough time with the divorce. Her parents have been divorced since she was two or three, but she still has many emotions connected to the divorce and has been traumatized by it (and other family circumstances). Mom says that even though divorce is a common theme among families today, it is still especially difficult around the holidays for many children.

On Thursday morning, I traveled to Vermont with my family for the Thanksgiving weekend, and enjoyed time with family and friends. On Saturday, I was a guest at my grandmother’s library. Children and adults listened to Gram read Meet Coco, a Bright Spot Reading Buddies book, and each received a bookmark about me, along with Keep Calm and Pet Coco sign. Mom presented three Bright Spot Reading Buddies books (donated by Bright Spot) to the library, and talked about the work she and I do with students at her school and with residents in nursing homes. I enjoyed some extra attention, and Gram was happy to have us at the library.

The week was an interesting one for me, and Mom and I were reminded that there is more to life than work. I enjoyed my time in Vermont, and am looking forward to spending Christmas there. Before that, however, Mom and I have lots of work to do and lots of people to help.   ~Coco

Who wouldn’t feel happy and relaxed after spending time with gentle, friendly Therapy Dogs?  Bright Spot Haas, always a crowd pleaser, will be on the campus of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst on Wednesday, December 3rd, from 11:30-2:00, along with 21 other Bright Spot Therapy Dogs of all shapes and sizes.

In addition, Bright Spot Therapy Dogs will be offering stress-relief study breaks at Bay Path University in Longmeadow, MA, on Monday, December 8th and Elms College in Chicopee, MA, on Tuesday, December 9th.

Stay tuned in….  Great photos to be posted after each of these events.

Students, staff, and parents, too, love having Bright Spot Therapy Dogs Coco and Molly at the Robert E. Melican Middle School in Northborough, Massachusetts.  I especially love reading what parents have to say about the dogs at school.  I’m thrilled, too, that Molly has been thoroughly embraced by the school community, just as Coco has.  Two gentle, nonjudgmental, non-threatening Therapy Dogs doing amazing things.

Here’s Coco…

This week was another busy one for me. I went to school with Mom Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Molly went to school on Tuesday and Thursday. We both worked with many students this week.

It seems like there is a nonstop line of people wanting to see Molly and me, visit, walk, or just stop by to say hi.  On Tuesday afternoon, a student with a weekly scheduled appointment came down to see Molly and Julie.  At the end of his time with Julie, the student opened the door and several students were waiting outside her office, wanting to see Molly.  The student shook his head and said, “I think most people come here just for Molly, not actual counseling.”  Julie’s reply: “Well, she sure is a nice way to get students to visit the guidance office.”  He commented, “Yes.  Molly is a great advertisement.”

Julie spoke to a parent this week that wants her to meet her son and possibly find a regular meeting time with him.  He is getting overwhelmed as school demands increase.  Before Julie could ask if the student liked dogs, his mother said, “And he LOVES animals, so maybe he could talk to you when the dog is there.” The mother couldn’t stop saying how wonderful it is that the dogs work at school.  She said, “It’s so nice that you have those dogs there.  It can be intimidating for kids to talk about things, especially with an adult.  It must be great to have the dogs to break the ice.”

One day this week, when Julie was walking me back to Mom’s office, we passed by a staff member.  We stopped so he could talk with me and pet me for a minute.  He said how much he loved Coco and how great dogs are in general.  “I tell you,” he said, “they change your whole life.”

On Wednesday, Mom and I took a few walks with students even though it was chilly outside. It did feel nice to get the fresh air and to smell all the interesting smells outside the building. Mom and I also met with many students one-on-one and with many in small groups. One boy, whom I mentioned in a previous report, is homeless and seems sad. He gets very excited to see me, and on Wednesday, Mom asked him if he would be interested in a “job” that entailed brushing me (no one else at school does this) and taking me for a walk. He was so excited about this. He actually smiled. I went outside with Mom at dismissal – it is amazing how many students want to pet me before getting on the bus to go home.

Thursday, Mom and I worked until 1:00, when we left so I could go to the vet. I was able to meet with many students with Mom. We met with one boy who talked about spending time with his father this Thanksgiving. He said he hasn’t seen his dad since the summer because of some issues his father is having. He seemed very excited for the upcoming opportunity to see him, and he was happy to talk to Mom and me about it. I also worked with students in the behavior specialist’s room throughout the day. At times, both Molly and I were in that room with up to nine students!

Friday was very busy for Mom. She was in her office almost non-stop from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. interviewing students and re-interviewing them. I did not even get to see her until 3:00 p.m. After her investigation, she had a long meeting. While Mom was busy with other work, I spent the day in the behavior specialist’s room, working with students throughout the day. Additionally, I went to the social skills session in the Transitional Learning Center, and I also visited that classroom later in the day to watch students’ presentations. I took several walks with students, and the student whose job it is to brush and walk me, was able to do so. Mom was surprised to hear that I had been so busy without her. Boy was I happy to see her at 3:00!

After school, Mom and I visited with our friend in the nursing home in Auburn. Several other residents and family members wanted to spend some time with me, and Mom and I obliged. It is very hard to say “No” to anyone who just wants to pet me. Mom and I then met Dad, and he took me home, while Mom went back to school for Fun Night. I am always glad to get home after a full week, but I always enjoy knowing I make so many people happy.

Molly and I had another eventful and productive week. I cannot even begin to imagine my life without work.  ~Coco

Our last Bright Spot Therapy Dog Training Class for 2014 started this past Sunday with seven teams in attendance.  This year we held more Therapy Dog Training Classes and trained 90% more teams than in 2013.  The demand for Therapy Dogs in healthcare and educational environments is so great, we are pleased to be able to offer a larger pool of well-trained Therapy Dogs Teams to fill the needs of these facilities.  Another accomplishment as Bright Spot Therapy Dogs celebrates its 10th Anniversary!

The dogs that train with Bright Spot are carefully screened for temperament and level of training, so once they have completed our Therapy Dog Training Class, they are well prepared to take their Therapy Dog evaluation.

We are working on our 2015 training schedule and will post it on our website once the first class date has been determined.  For those interested in becoming certified through Bright Spot, keep checking back to our website.  Once a class date is posted, the class fills quickly.  Those interested in Therapy Dog work travel from the Boston area and neighboring New England states to get trained and certified through Bright Spot.  If you have been thinking of sharing your sweet, gentle, well-trained dog with others in this meaningful way, the New Year is a great time to start!

We missed hearing from Coco last week.  Her Mom, Michelle, assistant principal at Melican Middle School in Northborough, Massachusetts, was sick for a few days, so Coco was absent, as well.  Fully recovered and back on the job, here’s a full report on the meaningful work this Bright Spot Therapy Dog Team as been up to this week.  In addition, Coco let’s us know what her pal Molly, a Bright Spot Therapy Dog, too, is doing to help the students at the school.

Here’s Coco…

This is a quote from Julie, Molly’s mom, to my mom, that sums up Molly’s and my work at school:  I love how Coco and Molly just come to work every day and do their thing.  Even though it has only been a couple of months for Molly (and longer for Coco), it seems totally normal to have dogs walking around the school.  How long did we “dream” about doing something like this, and now it’s just a totally normal, regular thing?!?!?!?!  I also love how on the few days they have both been in school together, they can be together in the same room and just hang out and be with kids and no one thinks twice about it.  They are so well behaved and calm, and loving their jobs.  Anyway, that’s a random thought but it is such a cool thing.  They are just part of the school community and it’s a really great thing!

This week, I went to school with Mom Monday, Wednesday, and Friday because Mom and I missed one of our days last week. Molly came to school on Wednesday and Thursday.

On Monday, I took several walks with students and met with many students in Mom’s office.  I also spent time in the behavior specialist’s room with students who were completing work or taking a break from the stresses of their school day. At times throughout the day, there are two or three students in there, and at other times, there are ten or twelve. Students snuggle with me while they complete work, take me for walks, and include me in their conversations with one another. I really enjoy my time in that room. After school, I attended the faculty meeting with Mom. There was a presentation that evoked some anxiety in staff, and after, many teachers came up to pet me. One teacher said to me, “I could really use a therapy dog of my own,” as she petted me.

On our way home, we stopped at a nursing home to visit with residents. Even though we go there to see one man in particular, many other residents want to visit with us. I love all the attention I get there. The man that we are there to see seems to enjoy “sharing” me with others: Hey – this is Coco. She is my date today… He always has treats for me, which I also love.

On Wednesday, both Molly and I were at school. One student just started having a regular check in time with Julie (school guidance counselor), and Molly helped convince him to do this.  Julie had wanted to check in with him every Wednesday, but wasn’t sure he’d want to do that because he is shy and he gets nervous in a one-on-one situation.  The first time Julie called him down, she didn’t have a dog with her, but when she asked him if he liked dogs, he said, “YES,” with a big smile.  Julie said, “How about I call you down next week to see how things are going, and we can bring one of the dogs for a walk.  How does that sound?” and he immediately said, “OK!”  This week, when Julie called him down, she said, “Molly is here today.  Still want to go for that walk?”  As soon as he saw Molly, he lit up and they headed out for the walk.  The student talked non-stop the entire time.  He was like a totally different kid!  Julie asked him if he wanted to do a short walk or go all the way around school, just in case he was feeling uncomfortable.  He chose the full walk around the building and they talked the whole time.  It was awesome!  Molly had so much to do with helping the student’s comfort level.

On Wednesday morning, Molly and Julie took a walk with a student who has a regularly scheduled time with the dogs.  She has already told Julie that she never wants to stop walking the dogs, even when it’s cold outside.  She said, I don’t care if it’s snowing or raining – as long as I get to walk the dog, I’ll go outside any time!  She and Julie talked about how much she loves dogs.  She talked about how she thinks dogs can really sense our emotions, and how her own dog knows when she is sad.  When the student is feeling sad, her dog comes close and just sits next to her and makes her feel better. Julie says, I know Molly is really helping me connect with many kids in a way I couldn’t do alone.

Molly and I spent a few periods together Wednesday in the behavior specialist’s room. There were many students and two dogs in there at times, and it was just “natural” – students were interacting with us and getting work done. Mom says we are very important to the success of that program.

I also met with many students on Wednesday throughout the day. Mom and I spent a study hall with two boys who tend to get distracted and who distract others in their regular study. They were very focused, helping each other with work, and petting me. Mom and I are going to try to offer that small group study to them each week. After they worked for most of the period, Mom showed them the video they were in of the therapy dog program at Melican. They were both so excited to see themselves in the video.

After school, Mom and I went to Greenfield for our weekly visit with our friend in a nursing home. We also visited with other residents. After that, I slept in the car while Mom helped with a dog training class at NB Productions.

Friday was another full day for me. I spent homeroom in the behavior specialist’s room like I always do with a small group of boys. They include me as part of the “gang” and take me for walks and pet me while they settle in for the day. Mom and I met with many students, some for the first time. One student, who is new to our school and is homeless, met me on Monday briefly. He is very shy and seems sad to me. Mom called him down again on Friday, and he smiled and beamed as he petted me. He was very friendly and chatty as Mom talked to him. Mom says it is because of me and his love of animals that he opens up to her and talks with us. Mom and I are going to implement a program for him, giving him a job to do with me to help him feel more important and valued. Starting this Wednesday, Mom is going to ask him to brush me twice a week (Mondays and Wednesdays) as a job to capitalize on his strengths and his love of animals. After he brushes me, we will also go for walks. Mom is hoping to help him feel more connected. No one else at school brushes me. It works for me – I LOVE being brushed!

I also spent some time in the Transitional Learning Center, participating in the social skills group. Students in this program have specific and complex learning profiles. Some of them have Autism, and others have other disabilities that are debilitating enough that they are part of a class that is somewhat separate from other students. One of the students was having a hard time concentrating on his social skills work, and he said (about me, as I was sitting next to him), I am so distracted by all this cuteness… Mom thought that was pretty funny. He said it a couple more times. Later in the day, I spent more time in the Transitional Learning Center, listening to students practice their presentations to me, using their iPads. I was very impressed with their willingness to share with me. They all enjoyed some one-on-one time with me, and I enjoyed their presentations.

Mom and I also ran a sixth grade lunch group on Friday because the guidance counselor who usually runs the group was on a field trip. We know the boys in the group because we normally come at the end of their lunch so they can spend some time with me. This was new to Mom and me – we actually RAN the group. Usually there are five boys in the lunch group, but on this day, there were nine! I lay at Mom’s feet under the table as the boys ate their lunches and talked about scary dreams, their plans for the weekend, holiday traditions, and I-don’t-know-what-else because I fell asleep. They were so chatty and loud that they did not hear my snoring. After they ate and returned their trays to the cafeteria, they had five minutes to spend with me. They sat in a circle around me and talked about their dogs and how neat they think it is that we have dogs in school. They begged Mom to take some pictures of them with me, which she did. After they left to head to class, Mom and I were exhausted – talk about energy!

On Friday afternoon, Julie and I took a walk with a student who sees both dogs regularly.  He has had a particularly difficult year, with his parents separating, moving to a new town, having to give up his own dog, and lots of other things that have been tough for him. He always has something nice to say about the dogs.  Out of the blue, he asked Julie, Do you think dogs are the best animals in the world?  Of course, Julie said, Yes, I think so.  He said, Me too.  Then they talked for a minute about how dogs can make people feel better, make people laugh, and are always happy to spend time with people.  He looked down at me, pet me on my back, and said, You are such a great dog.  And you always have been. It doesn’t get much better than that!

On our way home, Mom and I stopped at a nursing home again to visit with some residents. Both of us enjoy our time there, and visiting gives us a burst of energy to start the weekend.

On Saturday, Mom and I went with other Bright Spot teams to visit with residents at the  Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke. The residents were very happy to see the dogs. One man said, Thank you so much. The dogs really make a big difference for us here. He went on to say that the days (especially the weekend days) go by slowly, and seeing the dogs makes people very happy.

Mom says I am making a big difference for people at her school and for residents at the nursing homes we visit. The really awesome thing is that the work has also made a big difference for Mom and me.   ~Coco

Community groups of all kinds are eager to learn about the meaningful work Therapy Dogs are doing in healthcare and educational settings.  This past month, several Bright Spot Therapy Dog volunteers spoke to folks at The American Inn at Sawmill Park, a retirement community in Southwick, Massachusetts, and the South Hadley Women’s Club in South Hadley, Massachusetts.

I gave a formal talk about our organization, including what we look for in a Therapy Dog, our training, evaluation, and certification process.  I spent time explaining the difference between Service Dogs and Therapy Dogs, terms that are often confused today, then turned the program over to our volunteers who spoke about the type of visits they make with their Therapy Dogs.  Some of the volunteers in attendance visit a community hospital, some nursing homes, two make visits to hospice patients, another is involved with our Reading Buddy Program.

Questions and answered followed the talks.  Both groups were full of questions and comments.

Best of all, was spending time interacting with these sweet, friendly Therapy Dogs.  Each of the programs ended with lots of smiles and laughter as the dogs worked through the crowds of people.  One women got right down on the floor with the dogs, hugging and laughing!