Two Dogs’ Unconditional Love Helps Students, Staff at Nampa Elementary School
January 2, 2019
By: Emily Lowe
Source: Idaho Press
NAMPA — Four months into the job, two 7-month-old Chesapeake-poodle mixes have taken their role seriously in soothing the students at Franklin Roosevelt Elementary in Nampa.
In June, two from a litter of puppies were waiting to be selected and trained to become the school’s permanent therapy dogs. Though the dogs are still going through therapy dog training, now, four months into that role, Principal Shawn Tegethoff said it’s been amazing watching how Coco, Princess Leia and the students interact with one another.
“There is something magical about these dogs,” she said.
The reasons for having therapy dogs in a school vary from increasing literacy, creating a better climate in the school or providing emotional support for students. At the Nampa elementary, the dogs are available for children struggling with attendance and unexpected behaviors, like lashing out in anger.