After-School Pilot Program and Summer Reading Program

“Students looked forward to the dogs every week. Several of them with higher SEL [social and emotional learning] needs appeared a lot happier and more engaged/relaxed after seeing them!”
“The dog therapy session was a wonderful experience for the students. They were highly engaged, and it created a positive, calming environment that everyone enjoyed. The children looked forward to that part of the day.”
“I really appreciated the therapy dog experience. It was definitely extremely rewarding. To say that [the students] really looked forward to the experience as an understatement. After working with the dogs, they often came back, excited to share their experience with us as teachers and their peers. In addition, they came back in a great mood ready for the rest of the lesson and inquiry that we had planned for them.”
“Kids were so happy and relaxed when interacting with the dogs! They were so disappointed when we had a snowday on a Thursday- many came up to me on Friday and asked if the dogs would be coming during school.“

During their time with the therapy dogs the students “were much more gentle and chill…, they attempted sitting quietly and calmer than they often are in the classroom. This was also the only setting where not once did I hear a student have a negative comment about or during. They seemed to be happy to go in with the dogs. It was also great incentive for encouraging positive behavior.”
“I loved the small group setting and how the kids were comfortable in the setting to read aloud. Even kids that don’t read in class gave it a try!”
“One of our student struggles with reading, this student refused to read or participate in any of the reading activities. However, this student was fully engaged and participated in reading to the therapy dogs despite her reading struggles.”
“The children loved the therapy dog. Reading with her got the students engaged. They learned to be calm around her and when she needed a break.”

Tilly’s Place