Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for January 12, 2009 DOG - BARK = HELP

Cute story, but, of course, my first impulse was to quibble...make a catty comment or two...as in..."Why no cats???"

Upon reflection, had to admit that the "purrsonality" of your typical (stereotypical?) cat doesn't transition well to being dependable, helpful, etc. Subservient? I don't think so...

However, being a retired CAT, I felt that maybe I should not make such a hair-triggered assessment of the current state of catdom.

Therefore, I sought out a purrson of the species and put the question directly to him. (This purrson did not really ask to remain anonymous...actually didn't seem to give a rat's butt about remaining incognito. However, in keeping with journalistic discretion, I am identifying the purrson in question as "Tom".)

Without hesitation, Tom confirmed my initial assessment about the wisdom of objecting to the article below in order to take a stand in favor of forcing cats into the classroom to "soothe" recalcitrant students. In fact, upon further review, I would have to say that cats would probably exacerbate the misbehavior of said students...by purrrrrrrsonal example.

But, again, being an "former CAT", I hesitate to interpose myself between you, Dear Reader, and my expurrt witness. Therefore, I will allow YOU to interview Mr. Tom on the subject of whether or not cats should be drafted/impressed into classroom service.

Ready with your question?

Click for your answer...

WARNING: For you genteel readers of CAT Tracks, cats have been known to be ornery...especially if you wake them from their naps. Therefore, if you are truly the "genteel", easily-offended type, then I strongly suggest that you take my word for it. Cats in the classroom...to "serve" unruly students...NOT a good idea. Move on...

For you "grrrrrizzled" readers, willing to witness the raw and uncensored views of "the cat on the street"...

Click HERE, KITTY, KITTY, KITTY, KITTY for your answer.

Therapy dogs help Pal-Mac students de-stress, focus on work

Stephanie Veale
Staff writer

PALMYRA — Everyone walking the halls of Palmyra-Macedon High School seems to know Morgan, a 3 ½-year-old dog with a silvery-black coat, dark brown eyes and a knack for knowing which students need him the most.

Morgan is a golden retriever-poodle cross, or Goldendoodle, and is one of seven therapy dogs in this Wayne County district of about 2,200 students.

The dogs make rounds at each of the district's four school buildings to help students de-stress, focus and gain confidence in their read-aloud skills.

Few districts use therapy dogs as extensively as Pal-Mac does. The New York State School Boards Association only knows of two other districts, both in Steuben County, that have comparable programs, said spokeswoman Barbara Bradley.

Pal-Mac's program began three or four years ago when middle school teacher Amy Baehr started bringing her Labrador retriever, Ellie, to school.

The program has evolved over the years and has begun to generate statewide interest.

In October, a group of Pal-Mac teachers and administrators spoke at the state School Boards Association's annual conference in New York City. Since then, representatives from at least five districts have called asking for more details on the program, said Joan E. Karnisky, director of special services for Pal-Mac.

Kathy Klotz, executive director of the Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Therapy Animals, says more school districts could benefit from using therapy dogs.

"When you've got animals that are the right ones, good things just happen," she said. "Everyone is flabbergasted by what dramatic differences it can make."

The therapy dogs are screened for aggression and are thoroughly obedience-trained. They don't eat off the floor, jump on people or bark. They can lie still for an entire 80-minute class period. Their intuitive nature often leads them to seek out students who are frustrated, sad or distraught.

"These dogs don't distract (the students)," Karnisky said. "They've become part of the culture."

Morgan and his miniature-doodle counterpart, Sadie, are instrumental to the district's alternative education program for at-risk students, known as the AIM program.

The students take classes together downstairs in the high school building, and Morgan and Sadie follow them around as they learn math, English and other core subjects in pursuit of a Regents diploma.

Morgan, the more experienced of the dog duo, also spends a considerable amount of time upstairs with the rest of the student body. Sadie is only 7 months old.

Morgan's owner, Jim Blankenberg, is a retired special education teacher who rejoined the district as a teaching assistant in the AIM program. Blankenberg got Morgan in 2005, just before his initial retirement, with the intent of doing volunteer therapy work in the community and at the school. He was rehired part-time when the AIM program began two years ago.

Sadie belongs to AIM English teacher Janis Thompson-Riley, a lifetime dog-lover who was inspired to buy Sadie after seeing how well students responded to Morgan.

Thompson-Riley says dogs like Sadie and Morgan could work in any district.

"These are not just pets," she said. "They're special for this purpose. They have jobs to do."

Breaking down walls

Tara Rosecrans came close to dropping out of high school last year in favor of getting her general-equivalency diploma. She was on her way to failing 10th-grade algebra for the second time. She wasn't getting along with some of her classmates.

"I'd been having trouble with school for a very long time," she said.

In the end, a teacher, a school counselor and Rosecrans' father persuaded her to stay in school, and she enrolled in the AIM program.

Her grades are better now. The program, with its small classes and family-like atmosphere, has helped her refocus — and the dogs are part of it.

On a recent Tuesday, the 18-year-old senior reached under the table in the computer lab and slid Sadie gently across the linoleum.

"Yesterday, I had to go to a funeral. When I walked in (to school), Sadie came up to me and she kissed me right here," Rosecrans said, pointing to her cheek and smiling.

Scooping up Sadie, Rosecrans added: "I can feel like she's my dog. I can talk to her like she can talk back, even though she can't."

Rosecrans is on track to graduate this spring. She plans to go to college and become a mental-health counselor.

Thompson-Riley and Blankenberg say the therapy dogs bring students together and draw lonely teens out of isolation. When Thompson-Riley walks Sadie down the hall, students who normally avoid teachers will approach her, pet Sadie and ask questions. If a troubled student takes Sadie or Morgan for a walk around the school, other kids tend to socialize with that student when they otherwise wouldn't.

'Good companions'

When Blankenberg notices a student who is crying or visibly upset, he immediately scours the room for Morgan. Often times, Morgan is already padding his way over to the student on his own.

"He goes to the children who are hurting," Blankenberg said. "He goes to stress."

For that reason, Sadie and Morgan are often exhausted by the end of the day, their owners say.

But their presence makes school bearable for students like Timothy Nichols, a 19-year-old junior who gets to school a few minutes early every day so he can take Morgan for his morning walk.

Nichols, an AIM student, doesn't like writing.

"Frustration's been a problem for you, if you don't mind my saying," Thompson-Riley said to Nichols. "When you get frustrated, you shut down."

Now, with the dogs around, Nichols is less likely to quit the task at hand altogether. He'll pick up Sadie for a few minutes or take Morgan for a stroll. The break helps him put his thoughts together, Thompson-Riley says, and then he can get back to work.

Nichols has a basset hound of his own at home.

"Every person should have a dog or a companion with them," Nichols said. "I find dogs are really good companions."

Blankenberg imagines he and Morgan will retire — for good this time — at the end of the 2009-10 school year. But he says the therapy dogs program will keep going without him.

The district's Board of Education has shown a commitment to it, having passed a policy that outlines program guidelines including requirements for dog training and care. And local doodle breeder Beth Engelbert donated three dogs to the district for use in its program.

"The teachers who have the dogs have got a long-term commitment, especially the ones who've received donated dogs," Blankenberg said.

"We hope (the program) will be part of Pal-Mac for years to come, because we see nothing but pluses from it."

Additional Facts

Born by the lake

Morgan, Sadie, and three other Pal-Mac therapy dogs were born near Lake Ontario at Lakeview Doodles, west of Rochester.

Breeder Beth Engelbert started Lakeview Doodles with her husband 4 ½ years ago. All of their puppies are either Goldendoodles or Labradoodles (Labrador retriever-poodle crosses) of varying sizes and breed percentages.

Engelbert donated three dogs to the Pal-Mac district for use in the therapy dog program. She says doodles are good therapy dogs because they're intelligent and easygoing, with sweet, loyal temperaments. They also tend to be hypoallergenic, a trait they get from their poodle parents.

About a month ago, the Engelberts visited Pal-Mac schools to see their dogs in action.

"The way that they work, the way that they sense kids' feelings, it's great to see," Engelbert said.

Lakeview puppies spend their first few months listening to classical music, learning how to go to the bathroom outside and playing with Engelbert's children, ages 6 to 16.

"They're used to human touch from the second they're born," Engelbert said. "We have pizza nights on Friday nights ... for 20 to 25 people, and everybody's completely dog friendly."

The love and careful breeding at Lakeview comes at a price: Puppies cost between $1,200 and $2,300.