Guest
post by Christi Henry, one of SSD Eagle’s handlers in Lampeter-Strasburg School
District
Eagle’s impact on our school community has
exceeded our wildest expectations. We knew his impact would be positive for our
students, but we just could not imagine how much positive influence his
presence would have on our entire school building.
Eagle cannot wait to get to school in the morning,
and from the moment he walks in the door, he brings smiles to all who see him. When
staff members hear his tags jingle, they come out to say hello and give him
some morning love. Our custodians always have something special in their
pockets for him, and the office staff loves when he lays down in the sunny spot
in the middle of the office. He brightens everyone’s day and has helped to
connect us as a staff in new ways.
Just before the students come in, Eagle dons his
vest and prepares for work. He waits at the doors with a handler during arrival
to greet the kids. Kids squeal with delight to see him in the morning. Our
principal has found that students who are reluctant to come to school are eager
to see Eagle. The principal will work with the students and parents and have
Eagle at the doors to help them transition more smoothly from home to school.
Throughout the school day, Eagle has a busy
schedule. He begins with a morning walk-through of the building with the
principal, and he stops in each classroom to wish everyone a good day. He has
learned to give the kids a fist bump with his nose. The kids LOVE to get a fist
bump from Eagle.
One of Eagle’s favorite jobs is working with small
groups of striving readers, inspiring and motivating them to work hard. He
snuggles in to listen to them read. One student practices reading jokes all
week and then meets with Eagle and a handler on Friday for joke time in the
snuggle chair. This student works SO hard to be ready for joke time. Many of his jokes are about dogs. What dog
keeps the best time? A watch dog!
Eagle also works with our students who need
emotional support, reminding them that will-power and self-control are skills
that everyone needs to practice. He demonstrates by not touching a kibble placed
on his paw. He drools to show them that it is hard work. His presence in the room is calming, and
snuggle time is a huge reward.
Eagle visits with our students in the life skills
class each day. Students work hard to earn a golden ticket to help care for
Eagle’s needs. Students learn to gently brush Eagle and fill his water dish for
him. A favorite among the kids is double-leash walking Eagle. One student who uses a wheelchair for
mobility was struggling with her motivation to practice with her walker. Walking
ten feet was a huge struggle. With Eagle
by her side, she is now walking laps around the whole third grade wing!
Eagle works with small groups of students,
including our speech and language, learning support, and guidance groups. His
presence encourages not only hard work and perseverance, but also conversation
and self-reflection. When Eagle is present, students are willing to try harder,
open themselves up to new experiences, and discuss topics that may be hard to
face. He attends meetings with families, meets with the principal and guidance
counselor when they work 1-1 with students, and even attends parent-teacher
conferences.
Eagle also works in classrooms with large groups
of students. Everyone loves when he hops up into a chair to see what’s going
on. He reinforces classes of students who have earned time with him for great
behavior. He attends pizza parties and movie days, and he is always available
to educate group of students about his work in our school.
He participates in large group activities and
attends special events in the performing arts center with the whole school. Sometimes,
he is the star of the show, coming on stage to demonstrate and inspire good
behavior. He is an integral part of our school, and everyone looks forward to
seeing him at all of our school and district-wide activities and events. He
participates in open houses, family nights, and school board meetings.
In our district, our dogs also work together. In
crisis situations, all of our dogs come together to assist with grief
counseling. They also participate in mental health education activities and
support students in emotional crisis throughout the school district. The dogs
are able to help students calm and settle in order to move forward in the
school day.
Our dogs also have time to be together socially.
Eagle enjoys pulling up to Gabby’s building for Wednesday morning play-dates
with Gabby and Maya. They run, tumble,
and play ball together. This summer, we welcomed Monarch to the team.
At the end of each day, Eagle gets out of his vest
and shakes off his hard work. He loves to run down the hallways, chasing a ball
or stuffed toy. He cracks everyone up with his slipping and sliding around the
corners.
Eagle’s presence and hard work in our school has brought
us all tremendous joy. We are grateful to have the opportunity to share each
day with him. He is truly loved and his impact on our community is
immeasurable.
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