Many local schools have seen the benefits of adding therapy dogs to their teams. Here, we introduce you to four of them.
Dog: Nati Joy
Age: 11/2
Breed: Australian Labradoodle
School: Seton High School
Quote: “The 2021–2022 school year is the first year we have had Nati here at Seton. She is at school two days each week. Nati likes attention and affection from our Seton students as well as treats like cheese and Cheerios.” —Erin Rowland, Seton High School Director of Student Support Services (and Nati’s handler)
Dog: Mochi
Age: 7
Breed: Golden Doodle
School: James E. Biggs Early Childhood Center
Quote: “Mochi has been at James E. Biggs for seven years. Mochi greets preschoolers getting off the bus and helps transition students from activity to activity. Mochi [wears] her backpack at the beginning of the school year, costumes for holidays, and a graduation gown at the end of the year.” —Elizabeth Miller, Covington Early Childhood Principal
Dog: Sisi
Age: 3
Breed: Australian Labradoodle
School: Roger Bacon High School
Quote: “Sisi has been nothing but a joy since she entered the halls at Roger Bacon in April 2019. High school can be very stressful for teenage students, and Sisi provide[s] them with some relief [from] the everyday stresses of high school. Sisi lives with me and I bring her to school every day.” —Brandon Spaeth, Roger Bacon High School, Assistant Athletic Director
Dog: Lucy
Age: 4
Breed: Labrador
School: Mason Intermediate
Quote: “Lucy joined us during the 2019–2020 school year. Lucy loves living with Amy Burns, a Mason Intermediate School sixth grade teacher. Lucy helps provide one-on-one support to students and helps during group therapy sessions, and enjoys visiting students in class; being read to; and modeling how to stay calm, cool, and collected.” —Tracey Carson, Mason City Schools Public Information Officer
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