Therapy Dogs to Brighten Mishawaka Schools, Boosting Student Well-being

Photo byWSBT

MISHAWAKA, IN – A heartwarming initiative is set to brighten the halls of Mishawaka schools, where therapy dogs will soon play a pivotal role in supporting student well-being. The School Board's recent approval of this proposal marks a significant step forward in enhancing the mental health resources available to students across the district.

Three specially trained therapy dogs—Penny, Ocean, and Michael Jordan—are poised to make a positive impact on hundreds of Mishawaka students. Penny, who already serves at LaSalle Elementary, will expand her duties to include half days at Hums and Battel Elementary Schools. Ocean will take up residence at Beiger Elementary, while Michael Jordan, a beloved golden doodle, will offer his calming presence at John Young Middle School.

The success of Penny’s work at LaSalle Elementary inspired this broader initiative. "The board approved last year to have one therapy dog with our social worker Michelle Anderson at LaSalle Elementary, and it was a big hit," said Dave Troyer, School City Mishawaka's Director of Student Services. "Seeing the positive impact, other schools wanted to bring the same support to their students."

Troyer is confident that the presence of therapy dogs will help reduce stress and anxiety among students, ultimately fostering a more positive and conducive learning environment. "When you’re stressed or anxious, you don’t perform at your best. The philosophy behind this initiative is that therapy dogs can help alleviate those feelings, contributing to a safe and orderly environment," he explained.

While there are costs associated with training and maintaining the therapy dogs, these are covered by the owners and handlers. The dogs will have designated safe spots in their handlers' offices for breaks but will be available to interact with all students during the school day. Teachers can schedule visits, and social workers and principals may also incorporate the dogs into small group sessions.

As Mishawaka schools embrace this innovative approach, the hope is that these therapy dogs will not only enhance students' academic performance but also increase their overall enjoyment and engagement with school.