Today, a giant visited some classrooms at JCB. Okay, not really a giant--but close. Gator is an English Mastiff and is a certified therapy dog. Therapy dogs are trained to provide comfort and attention to people in all sorts of settings. They are often found in retirement homes, hospitals, schools, and disaster areas. In schools, students often read to the dogs. It provides the students with comfort as they practice and develop their reading skills. Reading out loud is sometimes stressful for students. The dogs give them comfort and confidence as they improve those skills.
Here are other benefits of using a therapy dog in the school. Interaction with the dogs provides tactile stimulation and assists with pain management. A visit with the dog provides a positive mutual topic for discussion, promotes self-esteem and well-being. Companionship with a dog stimulates memory, problem solving, and game playing. Therapy dogs improve acceptance from others and lifts mood.
Check out some pictures from our first visit today.
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