At Work

Coco followers, and those new to reading weekly updates from my guest blogger, this has been an interesting week for Bright Spot Therapy Dog Coco and her pal Molly,  a new Bright Spot. This working pair of Therapy Dogs is starring in a movie!  Here’s what Coco has to say about it…

This week, Molly and I went to school on Monday and Friday. I also went on Wednesday. There were two half-days for students Tuesday and Thursday when Molly usually goes, so we doubled-up Monday and Friday. At times, Molly and I met with students together, or walked with students together, and at other times, we worked individually with our mothers and other support staff.

Mom and Julie (Molly’s mother) were making a movie for a presentation they are doing this week, so there was a lot of videoing and interviewing.

The main question: What do you like about having the dogs at school?

Here are some of the responses from students:

The dogs are relaxing.

The dogs help take the stress away from your day.

It’s fun to walk them.

It’s nice to take a break and get outside with the dogs…

It helps you when you’ve had a rough day.

Sometimes when I feel really sad, they cheer me up.

You can talk to them and they listen…they don’t comment.

They’re there to make you feel better.

A lot of people go through stressful times…the dogs help.

They really just give you support…when you need it, and even when you don’t…

Here are some responses from adults:

I like having the dogs here because I work with students who sometimes need a calm space to get their work done, and the dogs provide that for us…

It’s nice to have a community pet to brighten everyone’s day.

It’s a great chance for the kids to relax…and talk about what’s on their mind…

It was interesting for me to hear what students and staff members had to say about what kind of impact Molly and I have on them. It was reaffirming that we are, indeed, helping people through our work at school!   ~Coco

After listening to every word read to her, Bright Spot Reading Buddy Lily got a huge hug from her friend.  Thank you, Lily!  I love reading books to you!  It’s a joy to watch the magical bond between the children and the dog, as each reads a book to Lily during library time at the Westhampton Elementary School.

King proudly presented a copy of his new book, MEET KING and His Pals, to each of the classes he works with at the Hilltown Public Charter School in Easthampton, Massachusetts.  Each of the teachers read the book aloud to the students as King followed along surrounded by adoring students.  In addition, King provided each student with his King bookmark to use when they are reading books at home.

This special Bright Spot Reading Buddy book was made possible by a grant from the Charter Oak Foundation.  Each of our Bright Spot Reading Buddy Teams is writing a book of their own to use in their classrooms.  The books become part of the classroom library.  Teachers report that these books are very popular!

Reading Coco’s report always brightens my day.  I enjoy reading about Molly, as well, the new Bright Spot Therapy Dog at Melican Middle School.  Two very special dogs, and their equally special owners, making a differences in the lives of many, as Coco states in the last sentence of her report.   Without further rambling from me, Here’s Coco….

This week I went to school Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. There are so many students who want to spend time with me that Mom decided to bring me on Monday, as well as Wednesday and Friday, when I always go. Molly went to school with Julie on Tuesday and Thursday. As usual, we both had a terrific week.

On Monday, I visited with some students I had not met before. They loved spending time with me and talking to Mom. Many of them went for walks with me. I spent some time with a student I generally see each week. She is a sixth grader whose brother has cancer. Because of his health issues, he is absent from school a lot, and she misses some time, too. She enjoys time with me, talking to Mom and relaxing. I imagine she must have a lot on her mind.

Tuesday, Molly went to school with Julie and had another terrific day. She helped calm a student who was very anxious. She also helped a pair of boys form an unlikely bond, as they talked together, getting to know each other, while petting Molly and talking about their love of dogs. After school, while Julie helped with Badminton Club, Mom worked on some obedience with Molly. Mom says we can all use a tune-up from time to time…I would have to agree.

Wednesday was another rewarding day for me. I spent time with Mom and students, but I also spent quite a bit of time in the behavior specialist’s room, comforting students who were upset or anxious, and leaning on students whom needed some support while completing their work. I love being in the behavior specialist’s room – there are so many students and so much activity in there throughout the day. On Wednesday, I did have a little accident in that room – I was trying to get closer to a student who was working quietly, and I got myself turned around and twisted in the cord to a lamp. Before I knew it, the lamp fell on my head. There were a few screams from the girls when they saw the light bulb spark, and then they were all worried about me. I was fine. Mom says I am a bit of a klutz at times, and those are the hazards of being a working dog. I really was fine, but the extra attention from students and staff making sure I was OK was nice. After school, I rested at a girl’s feet as she read aloud to her teacher and me. She gets anxious, but I helped her feel better. Later, I went to Greenfield with Mom and spent some time with our friend in the nursing home. I also visited with other residents and some staff there. After that, I slept in the car while Mom helped with class at NB Productions.

Thursday, Molly took several walks with students even though it was a bit rainy. She calmed on boy who was very upset about his grandfather’s recent death, and she supported another student as she calmed herself through a quiet meditation exercise. It sounds like Molly is really helping the students at school.

Friday started out like any other day for me – Mom and I delivered classroom coverage slips to classrooms, I spent homeroom in the behavior specialist’s room, and Mom and I took walks with lots of different students. Later in the day, I went with Mom to a meeting at the superintendent’s office. As we walked into the lobby area, administrative assistants came from their cubicles and offices to see me and spend time with me. Mom and I visited with the six or seven women for about fifteen minutes before we went into our meeting. The superintendent and assistant superintendent were so happy to see me – probably happier to see me than Mom. I napped at Mom’s feet during the meeting, and then on our way out, the administrative assistants came out to see me again. One of them said, “We need an office dog here…” Another one said, “Thanks for letting us visit with Coco – what better way to make us happy than a dog?” I am not sure what all the fuss was about, but Mom was surprised at the response from the office staff there. Maybe we should schedule regular visits with that group.

On our way home, Mom and I stopped to see our friend at the nursing home in Auburn. He was so happy to see me. Mom and I visited with him for twenty minutes or so. On our way out of the facility, we stopped to see several others who were interested in visiting with me. I love the extra attention, but I always start to get a little ansty after thirty minutes or so there. As we always do, Mom and I left there and headed home feeling that we had made a difference this week in the lives of many.   ~Coco

Tuesday was a busy day for King and Lily.  Both suited up in their blue Bright Spot Therapy Dog vests to head back to school and begin the Reading Buddies Program.  In the morning, King headed back to the Hilltown Charter School that has moved to a beautiful new building in Easthampton, MA.  In the afternoon, Lily headed back to Westhampton Elementary School in Westhampton, MA.

These dogs love working with young children.  They soak up all the undivided attention like sponges.  King works with children in the Yellows and Greens Group (the equivalent to second and third grade).  Lily works with first and second graders.  Most of these students have been exposed to our Reading Buddies Program in the past.  Both schools have started the Reading Buddies Program in Kindergarten.

One of the teachers gathered the students on the floor encircling King and asked each student to tell the group what they liked about reading to a dog.  I like reading to a dog because he doesn’t make fun of me when I make a mistake, said one.  I like reading to a dog because he really listens to me, said another.  The dog doesn’t interrupt when I’m reading, like my sister does when I’m reading at home.  I love reading to the dog. Around the circle of students, the responses were spot-on.  This is exactly what the program is designed for.  The students articulated it perfectly.

Molly, as well as Coco, has become a shining star at Melican Middle School in Northborough, Massachusetts.  The pair of Bright Spot Therapy Dogs certainly impressed the reporter who interviewed their teammates, Michelle and Julie, assistant principal and guidance councilor, at the school.  Read on as Coco tells about their week…

I went to school with Mom this week on Wednesday and Friday. Molly went with her mom, Julie, on Tuesday and Friday. Mom and Julie were off-site at a training on Thursday, one of Molly’s regularly scheduled days to work at school, so she came on Friday. As usual, both Molly and I worked with many students over the course of the week.

On Wednesday, I worked with students in small groups in the behavior specialist’s room, spending homeroom with a group of them. Students love having me in the room – they walk me, pet me, and talk to me.  Next to Mom’s office, this room is the most comfortable space for me at school, one where I spend lots of time. As is the norm in this small room, on Wednesday, there were different configurations of students throughout the day, with some students spending more time there than others. There was chatter and laughter, discussion about physics, ancient civilizations, algebra, and literature, and there was complete silence from time to time as students worked diligently on all types of assignments. There were tears, conversations about life’s struggles, and an overall feeling of support and caring for each other. Students come to this room for various reasons. Some of them need a small group study period (as opposed to being with twenty or more students), some students need portions of their curriculum delivered there one-on-one or in small groups, some students need to take breaks there, and some students simply need a smaller “home base” than the typical homeroom configuration can provide. Mom says students who spend homeroom or one or more periods there each day are doing very well with the extra academic and emotional support they receive. And she says I am an integral component of that success. All the students who spend time in that room love me, and I love each of them. This week was particularly challenging for a few of them. One student’s sister had a baby within the past several days, and this has added to his overall stress level and his already-full plate. Another student was feeling very depressed this week for reasons unclear to me. Another student has been dealing with a difficult home situation. The three adults who work in this room are amazing, offering students support, but pushing them and placing appropriate demands on them, holding them to high standards, while keeping a delicate balance. Students enjoy having me in that room. Mom says I am a constant and non-judgmental presence that helps them manage school and life. I feel at home there, and am glad I can help.

Mom and I also met with students throughout the day Wednesday. There are students who enjoy sitting with Mom, petting me, and talking about school, home, and anything else on their minds. Several students took me for walks, which I thoroughly enjoyed. One boy, who has been particularly stressed lately, came to Mom’s office and asked to spend some time with me. The three of us went for a brief walk, and then he was ready to continue with his day. We met with many students who are “regulars” – they look forward to it, as do Mom and I. Sometimes the meetings are brief and the conversations light; other times, the meetings are longer, and the topics heavier and more thoughtful. I enjoy all of the interactions that happen, relaxing and getting petted throughout the day, listening to voices and enjoying having a purpose. Mom brought me with her outside at the end of the day as students left the building. Lots of them petted me or talked to me before boarding the buses and heading home.

As we do each Wednesday, Mom and I went to Greenfield to visit with our friend in a nursing home there. After our visit, Mom took me for a nice walk, and then I waited in the car while she helped with a class at NB Productions. I sleep during the time Mom is inside since I am always very tired at the end of a full day of work.

On Friday, both Molly and I went to school. Mom and Julie met with a reporter to talk about the therapy dog program at school. It was very interesting to hear them talk about the program and how far it has come since last December when Mom and I first became certified as a Bright Spot therapy dog team. And it was interesting to hear them talk about Molly and me. Mom explained the difference between service dogs and therapy dogs, and she explained the purpose of the MMS Therapy Dog Program, which was established to: 1. Enhance our positive school culture, 2. Supplement the offerings of traditional student support resources, 3. Support academic, emotional, social, and behavioral growth and learning in students, and 4. Strengthen the connections within the school community. I have heard the purpose many times, and it is posted on the school’s website and the Bright Spot bulletin board, but it is always good to be reminded formally about WHY we are doing the work we are.

Mom talked about how I am a “rescue” from Indiana, who came to Mom and Dad after they lost their two beloved yellow labs within a six-month period, and how I actually “rescued” them. Pretty cliché if you ask me, but she went on to say how much she wanted to “share” me with others, and use me to help other people. That part was pretty neat. Molly is also a “rescue” – that’s pretty neat, too. Mom and Julie talked about how Molly and I make them better at their jobs. I do not exactly understand what they meant by that, but they both seemed pretty clear with the reporter: “We are better at our jobs because of Molly and Coco.” Wow. That is a powerful statement. Later in the interview, two students, who spend time with Molly and me regularly, came to talk to the reporter. The girls were very excited to know that their pictures and some of what they said to the reporter will be in the newspaper. As the reporter was leaving, she said to Mom and Julie, “Wow – this is great! Every school should have a dog.” We all agree.

Molly worked with Julie and I worked with Mom and with the behavior specialist to meet with many students and to take lots of walks with them. Molly and I also got to spend some time together, which was pretty cool, since it is not typical to have more than one dog at school at a time. Mom says we will not do that regularly, but it is nice to know that Molly and I can handle it – we are calm and we enjoy each other. The students were also happy that there were two dogs at school at the same time.

On our way home, Mom and I stopped to see our friend in the nursing home in Auburn. Initially, we could not find him because he was not in his room. As we were looking for him, several others wanted to meet me. Mom and I were happy to visit with people as we looked for our friend. One of the residents we met could not speak, and she had many physical limitations. Mom and I could tell by her eyes, however, that she wanted to meet me. As she petted me, Mom asked her questions and she did her best to respond with vocalizations. She was so appreciative of the time we spent with her. When we did find our friend, he was very happy to see me, petting me and asking me for kisses. He “shared” me with other residents in the nursing home, saying, “Coco comes to see ME every Friday.” When someone asked him why he is so special, he replied, “I know people…” It was all in good fun, and he and the others joked around about lots of things. Mom and I met many others at the nursing home. We walked out with our friend, and he let me kiss him good-bye and told Mom and me he will see us next Friday – what a terrific way to end our week!  ~Coco

Wherever we visit with our Therapy Dogs, staff, as well as those we come to visit, enjoy spending time with the dogs.  I used to visit a mental health unit of an area hospital with my two English Setters Phoebe and Trudi.  One therapist told me that his day is so stressful that he loves sitting for a few minutes petting the two dogs.  Smiling, he said, I can actually feel my level of stress go down as I keep petting their soft fur.  In Coco’s weekly reports, she often writes about school staff members seeking her out for a few moments of peaceful human-canine interaction.

Doctors, nurses, school and college administrators, therapists, and more understand the therapuetic benefit of interacting with a Therapy Dog.  They are people who believe in the meaningful work our Therapy Dog Teams do as they make weekly visits to healthcare and educational facilities.  The demand continues to increase as advanced research in the benefits of human-canine interaction is on the rise at large universities throughout the United States.

By this coming December, we will have completed two full years of offering our Bright Spot Therapy Dog Training Class to people seeking Therapy Dog certification through our organization.  Participants of our Therapy Dog Training Class have given it high marks every single time the class has run, and people come from all parts of Massachusetts and neighboring New England states to receive our specialized training.

The Therapy Dog Training Class prepares the handler and dog well, not only for the Therapy Dog evaluation leading to certification, but for carrying out meaningful visits once the team has become certified.

We just completed a class this past Sunday and will be offering one more Therapy Dog Training Class this year, running November 23rd and December 7th.  That’s a total of eight class sessions for 2014. We will soon be preparing our Therapy Dog Training Class schedule for 2015, with possible expansion to Worcester County in the middle of the state offering additional class opportunities for those who seek to become involved with this meaningful work.

Coco fans:  it’s been another amazing week for this very special Bright Spot Therapy Dog.  Bright Spot Molly deserves special mention,too, as her role as a Therapy Dog at Melican Middle School takes shape.  Read on…

I went to school with Mom on Wednesday and Friday again this week, and Molly came to school on Tuesday and Thursday. Between the two of us, Mom says we are making a huge difference for people.

Molly seems to really be settling in at school.  In her first couple of visits, she did a lot of sniffing and looking around, trying to figure out her new surroundings.  This week, when Julie (her mother) brought her, she hopped out of the car each day and strutted into school like she was happy and ready to work.  She met so many people this week. Even though everyone thanks her for all of her work, I am sure that Molly is getting a lot of joy and reward out of being so loved by all of the people in the MMS community, just like I do.

Julie meets with a student each week, and part of that meeting includes a quiet relaxation or meditation exercise.  This week, the student asked Julie if they could walk Molly during the visit. As they walked, the student talked about how much she loved the leaves and the temperature, and she enjoyed holding Molly’s leash and making observations of Molly as she sniffed around the ground.  When they got back to Julie’s office, Julie asked the student if she was ready for the meditation.  She kept petting Molly and said, “No, I still want to pet Molly, and that walk was really relaxing!” Sometimes a nice, quiet dog walk in the leaves is just as good as meditating.  Dogs are definitely good for the soul!

Some eighth grade students were having a tough day on Tuesday.  One of them was just coming back from a long absence, and another was just struggling to stay focused in class.  Molly and Julie were heading out for a quick walk and Julie asked if they wanted to join them.  The girls both said YES excitedly and they took a nice, slow walk in the sunshine together.  It only lasted about five minutes, but it was a nice chance for the girls to talk with each other about their struggles.  These two girls do not normally hang out together, but they talked very easily and comfortably alongside Julie and Molly.  Taking a break from the stresses of school and life is important for everyone, and doing that with a dog is even better.

One student put it best this week after spending some time with Molly.  He asked Julie how many walks Molly got each day when she was at school.  He said, “She probably gets at least two or three a day.”  Julie told him that most days, Molly gets at least five (but usually more) walks every day at school.”  He said, “Wow.  She really has the life!”  I agree – we both are very fortunate to be able to work at MMS with the students and staff.

Mom and I get to school Wednesday at 6:15 a.m. One of the custodians always comes to see me early. On Wednesday, I ran up to him, he squatted down and rubbed my head and ears. As he hugged me, he said, “There – now I am all set. I am ready for my day.” He did the same thing on Friday. He told Mom that he needs his “Coco-fix” to get him through the day. Later in the day, a parent stopped by to pick up her son. While she waited in the office, she knelt down and petted me and said, “I need a therapy dog. I have heard all about you, Coco. I really needed this.”

I spent the day working with students one-on-one with Mom and in small groups with the behavior specialist. I got to take many walks and snuggle with lots of students as they completed work in the behavior specialist’s room. Students in that room consider me part of their “gang” and they walk me, talk to me, and pet me while they complete work and talk about life. Mom says I help promote a positive feeling in that room and provide lots of comfort to the students who spend time there, whatever that means. Mom and I met some sixth graders we had not had the chance to meet before. When they come to Mom’s office (either individually or in pairs), they sit on the floor with Mom and me and talk with Mom about how they like sixth grade, things that are easy for them, things that are difficult for them, and anything else that comes up. Students always ask Mom about me – my age, how long Mom has been bringing me to schools, etc. I just lie between them as they talk, getting petted and resting my head in students’ laps.

Last period, Mom got a call from a teacher, asking if a student could come down to spend some time with me – he was very stressed. Of course Mom was happy to have him. He is the same boy who has been on time for school ever since he has been “earning” the privilege of taking Molly and me for early morning walks each day he is on time. When he got to Mom’s office, he sat next to me a petted me while he talked to Mom about feeling overwhelmed with a paper he was trying to write. As he talked and petted me, he smiled and was able to calm down. Mom reminded him that he would get through it, that he has many people here to help him, and not to let it ruin his day. After five minutes or so, he thanked Mom and me, kissed me, and headed back up to class.

After school, we headed to Greenfield to visit with our friend in the nursing home. She is always glad to see me, and I enjoy my time with her. After our visit, Mom took me for a nice long walk, and then I napped in the car while Mom helped with a class at NB Productions.

On Friday, I got to take so many walks because it was such a nice day. During Homeroom Connection, there were hundreds of students outside, and each walk I took during that time with specific students turned into many students coming to pet me and talk to Mom. I love all the attention. The superintendent was visiting our building on Friday, and she was so happy to see me. She loves me, and is very supportive of the therapy dog work in our schools. She squatted down, rubbed me, and let me kiss her face while she talked with Mom.

At the end of the day, I went outside with Mom for dismissal. Lots of students wanted to pet me and say good-bye before the long weekend. One of the buses was fifteen minutes late. Mom says I was especially helpful with the students who ride that bus – I guess some of them have a tough time when the routine changes and they have to wait. All of them petted me and talked to Mom.

On our way home, Mom and I stopped in Auburn again to visit with our friend in the nursing home. We almost didn’t stop because Mom and I were both very tired from the week, and because the traffic was a nightmare. We are so glad we did – his wife and stepson were there, waiting to meet me. Mom and I stayed for over thirty minutes. The man petted me, hugged me, and let me kiss him over and over again. I could tell how happy his wife and stepson were to see him smiling. As Mom and I left the nursing home, we each had a little extra bounce in our step. Despite feeling tired before we went in, the visit with our new friend and his family gave Mom and me a boost of energy – I cannot think of a better way to kick off a long weekend.  ~Coco

This is the best thing our school has ever done for us!    Therapy Dogs should be on campus every day!    I miss my dog so much.  I miss my parents, too, but I miss my dog more.                                                                                                                                       

These sentiments were spoken over and over again by the more than 1,000 students who took a break from studying to spend time with man’s best friend.

When the hands on the clock hit 11:30 a.m., the doors of the Student Union Ballroom at the University of Massachusetts opened and hundreds of students streamed through the doors  heading to the eighteen Therapy Dogs stationed throughout the large room.

Bright Spot Therapy Dogs of all sizes and breeds were eager recipients of the steady flow of hugging, petting, and kissing they received throughout the event that ran from 11:30-2:00.

For students studying in the library, four Therapy Dogs we stationed in the lobby enabling them to take a quick study break.  Many students moved from the Student Union to the library to be sure they spent time with all twenty-two of our gentle, friendly, loving Bright Spot Therapy Dogs.