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Professional Therapy Dogs at Haysville West!!. What is a Professional Therapy Dog?. A professional therapy dog is a well trained and well mannered dog that visits a variety of settings to offer emotional support.
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What is a Professional Therapy Dog? • A professional therapy dog is a well trained and well mannered dog that visits a variety of settings to offer emotional support.
To be certified as a professional therapy dog through Therapy Dogs International, Inc., a dog must pass 10 steps of the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen Test as well as additional requirements from Therapy Dogs International, Inc.
Why have a therapy dog at school? • Research shows that petting a dog helps lower blood pressure, stress, and anxiety. Having a trained dog in the classroom helps to create a calmer environment that is more conducive to learning.
And now……..here’s Mocha! • Mocha is a chocolate Labrador retriever. She is 5 ½ years old and only weighs about 40 pounds! She has been part of the Gamble family since she was a puppy, and now she is a part of the HWMS family.
And who could forget Mocha’s best bud…Lincoln! • Lincoln is an Alaskan malamute. He is 1 ½ years old. His favorite things are belly rubs and FOOD! He lives with Mr. and Mrs. Gamble, but he LOVES to come to school!
Can I pet the dogs? • Absolutely! There are a few things we want to do when we pet Mocha and Lincoln to help them feel comfortable in our school. These are the same rules you should use when you meet any dog.
Second, reach your hand out with the palm side down and your fingers relaxed and let the dog smell you…this is how the dog gets to know you.
Third, pet the dog on the chest or below the chin. Talk softly and gently.
Once the dog is comfortable with you, you can pet his/her back, neck, and ears. Try to stay away from petting the top of the head until the dog gets to know you better…this is a dog’s least favorite spot for petting because he/she can’t see what’s going on.
And finally, enjoy your experience with Mocha and Lincoln. They love and respect you and they hope that you will love and respect them, too!
Will there ever be a time when I won’t be able to pet the dogs? • Yep, sometimes if you ask to pet Mocha or Lincoln, their handler may ask you to wait until later. Just like people, dogs can get stressed out and may need a break every now and then. Also, sometimes the dog may be focused on a task that the handler has given and he/she needs to be left alone to fulfill the task.
I am not comfortable around dogs. Should I feel afraid when Mocha or Lincoln is nearby? • The dogs hope that you are not afraid of them, but they understand if you are uncomfortable with dogs. Just remember, Mocha and Lincoln’s handler will be there to ensure that they are not approaching kids who aren’t comfortable with them.
Help! I am allergic to dogs. What should I do? • By no means do Mocha and Lincoln want to cause your allergies to act up. Hopefully you are able to stay in the room a fair distance from the dogs without your allergies becoming a problem. If you have an especially severe case of allergies, please let your teacher know so that we can make your environment comfortable for you.
What if I see Mocha or Lincoln in the hallway? • If you see a dog during passing period, please do not reach out to pet him/her without permission. Also, please try to give the dog as much personal space as possible…we all know that’s hard to do in crowded hallways, but do the best you can.
If you see the dogs in the hallway while your class is walking to lunch, library, etc…, please do not talk to them…that would only get you in trouble with your teacher! Instead, feel free to give Mocha and Lincoln a friendly silent wave with your hand.
Do Mocha and Lincoln know any tricks? • Yep, they are very smart dogs, and they do know several tricks. They are always ready to learn new things, just like we should be! Sometimes they do their tricks better than other times, but like the saying goes…practice makes perfect! (Please do not give the dogs commands to do tricks without permission from their handler!)
Will I ever be able to give the dogs a treat? • Mocha and Lincoln LOVE treats! They are both very food motivated, which does make it easier to train them. However, we need to help them stay happy, healthy, and focused on their task to love and be loved, and so usually their “mom” is the only one who rewards them with treats. • Always remember that when you do give a treat to a dog, place the treat in your palm and reach your hand out flat. The dog will usually take care of the rest!
Can I give the dogs commands? • Mocha and Lincoln need to have only one person at a time telling them what to do. This person is usually their handler. Wouldn’t it be annoying if you had three or four people telling you how to do a math problem all at the same time? So, unless their handler tells you otherwise, the best thing you can do for Mocha and Lincoln is to let their handler give them the commands.
When will Mocha and Lincoln be at school? • Mocha will generally be at school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. • Lincoln will generally be at school on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Where is Mocha and Lincoln’s classroom? • Mocha and Lincoln’s normal classroom is E-7, which is Mrs. Gamble’s room. Sometimes, the dogs may also be in E-6, which is Mr. Gamble’s room. Both of these classrooms are in the 8th grade pod at HWMS. • You may also see Mocha and Lincoln visiting classes, taking walks in the hallway, etc… They like to be a part of things!
Will the dogs ever visit other classes/schools in USD 261? • Yes! Other teachers within the district can request a visit from the therapy dogs. Mocha and Lincoln love to visit other schools!
Let’s make it a GREAT school year! • Mocha and Lincoln can’t wait to meet you! We hope you will welcome them into the Haysville West Middle School family. Go Gorillas!!!
