Foot of Ten Elementary welcomes therapy dog to staff

DUNCANSVILLE, Pa. (WTAJ) — There’s a new furry friend around Foot of Ten Elementary.

Callie, the school’s official therapy dog, has been added to the staff to provide emotional support for students and assist them in learning.

“You see these kids come out of the car and they’re just smiling and waving and it just starts the day off with just that positivity. And then, also, like going throughout the building, she just, the kids just stop and smile,” said Brigitte Donlan, a fourth grade teacher at the school, and Callie’s handler.

Donlan noticed the need for a therapy dog within the school and administration with the idea to bring in her own dog that she was training.

That initiative was received with an outpouring of support and was unanimously approved by the school board after administrators recognized the increased need for emotional support. They attribute higher levels of anxiety in young children to the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We like to look at the students holistically. We certainly want them to excel in academics, but alongside, their mental health is extremely important. And so we want to focus on a way to bring more joy, create a nurturing environment, a sense of belonging and help our students, with, you know, stress and challenges,” said Marissa Cerully, the principal at Foot of Ten.

Along with bringing students that joy, Callie also steps in to help when traditional education may not be as effective. Students learn math skills, like addition and subtraction, by counting out treats to give Callie. She also lends an open ear when needed.

“A reluctant reader might be more comfortable reading a book to a dog rather than an adult who they know is looking to critique them whereas a dog is just sitting there ready for a good story and a good pet,” Donlan said.

While Callie is 19 months old and still in training, she is already having a major impact on those she’s learning alongside of.

“Another mother I spoke to as well said that her child loves school, but she said in all the years, her child, the night before a Callie day, is ready for bed because he knows the next day he has to get up and see Callie at school,” Donlan said.

For now, Callie spends most of her time getting used to the building and the extra attention, but could soon expand her services.

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“Looking for ways to incentivize the kids, whether it be through attendance, writing prompts, getting her to maybe join some occupational therapy sessions so that kids can learn how to put sweats on Callie and do those skills. But just, it can go in so many directions and we’re excited to see where the committee takes it,” Cerully said.

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