Therapy dogs provide comfort to young and old

Oct. 10—When Beecher City Grade School students Rose and Walker Bryan died from exposure to anhydrous ammonia following a tanker crash east of Teutopolis recently, the school district put into action its crisis plan that made available a team of people, including psychologists and counselors, to offer bereavement support for students and staff.

Adding to that support were volunteers from the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. It was the first time the district had utilized therapy dogs, according to Superintendent Philip Lark.

Effingham Unit 40 School District has been utilizing the service for the past few years. In fact, therapy dog visits have become a regular routine at some Effingham Unit 40 schools, greeting students as they arrive for school.

Mary Jo Tucker is a local volunteer for the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. She and other local handlers and their dogs frequently visit Effingham junior high and high schools.

Effingham High School Principal Kurt Roberts said one or two dogs and their handlers are usually at the school two or three days a week anytime from 7:15 to 7:30 a.m. until the bell rings for the first class. One of the areas the dogs can be found in is the student lounge, which students pass by in the mornings.

Students can choose to interact with the dogs and not everyone does, according to Roberts.

"We have students who come every day that those dogs are there and interact with them. We have other people that just come up on certain days. The dogs love it; the kids love it. I've got staff members that love it," he said.

The dogs' impression on the students is evident with a mural the senior art students made. They dedicated it to the therapy dogs since they weren't able to have them at the school during the pandemic.

"I think that is a pretty good statement as to how the kids feel about it," said Roberts.

Roberts said the reaction he sees most is positive.

"If you smile at somebody, you want them to smile back. If someone acknowledges your existence then that's a better part of your day. Well, human beings don't always do that. But you know what, a dog does it every time and these dogs as soon as they see those kids their tails wag. They lean out to them. That's a positive reaction that you're getting that sometimes kids don't get from other people," he said.

The dog is just happy to see the student no matter what, Roberts added.

"It doesn't matter where you've been, doesn't matter the baggage, doesn't matter what clothes you're wearing, doesn't matter what grades you're getting in class. If we could get human beings to do that to each other, what a better place," he said.

Roberts believes the visits have probably been one of the most positive impacts the district has had for students.

"It's impacted a number of students just because they like coming here and seeing these animals," he said.

Lakeland Rehabilitation and Health Care Center Activity Director Angela Long has seen the difference the dogs make first-hand. A handler and their dog visit the nursing home once or twice a month. Long said it's a way for residents who are too sick or in too much pain to leave their room to interact.

"Every resident, when those dogs come in their face lights up. They're more relaxed and smiling from ear to ear," she said.

Long is amazed the affect the dogs can have on residents who aren't in the best mood.

"They meet our therapy dogs and their whole attitude changes," she said.

That change in mood equates to health, according to Long.

"There's been studies we've done where people become healthier because they're happier. It just improves every aspect of their life basically," she said.

For some, the dogs are an emotional reminder.

Lakeland resident John Soucie choked up when Gunther, a German shepherd, came up to him during a recent visit. The therapy dog reminded him of his K-9 partner when he was a police officer.

"When I saw that dog, it just brought back memories. I just couldn't believe it," he said.

The visit marked the final evaluation for Gunther before being certified as a therapy dog. Handler Kristin Heiden said Gunther loves meeting new people.

"He's one of the dogs I have that's just perfect for it. Not all dogs can do it, not all dogs like to do it, but he is one," she said.

Currently, there are eight teams locally, each consisting of a handler and their dog, but Tucker said more are needed to expand visits to the grade schools.

Those who want to be an Alliance of Therapy Dogs volunteer must go through a background check prior to certification tests. In certifying the dog, Tucker said they look for one that wants to do that type of work.

"The dog has to be friendly, can't be aggressive, be attentive to its handler, and be at least 1 year old," said Tucker.

There is no criteria when it comes to breed or size of dog, Tucker added.

In addition to schools and nursing homes, local volunteers also visit the hospital. Tucker said it's part of the national nonprofit organization's mission to share joy and smiles.

"That's why we do this. We hope we can make a difference, make somebody a little happier," she said.

Cathy Griffith can be reached at cathy.griffith@effinghamdailynews.com or 618-510-9180.