BAY HEAD — Students, no matter the grade level, can be vulnerable to stress. What better way to combat such pressure than with some therapy dogs?
The Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs visited Bay Head School last Friday, bringing many furry friends with them for the whole student body to enjoy.
The idea came roughly two years ago when math and science teacher Lauren Galarza invited this group to the school. The visit was met with overwhelming positivity, but was not repeated.
That was until last Friday, when Molly Contreras, school counselor, revived the idea, allowing the dogs to walk around the whole school, into classrooms and down the halls. The dogs were accompanied by their handlers as they allowed the kids to pet and pick up the animals, and learn more about what it takes to be a therapy dog.
“This is something we are trying to do more of hopefully in the future,” said Contreras, noting that the dogs can calm students and help them with social skills. “It is a good thing to implement in schools, so from this we are hoping to do it a little bit more.”
Teachers and students alike loved interacting with the dogs within the classrooms. First grade teacher June Monticello said, “Students are able to learn about the good work these people do and all the benefits people who need these dogs get from having them.”
One of her students was also so afraid of dogs that the student’s parent had reached out questioning if their child should participate in this activity. However, as every kid was happily playing and petting with the dog, worries were put to rest as the student learned that these dogs have a job to do, and that job is to make others feel safe and comfortable.
Eighth-grader Molly Fallivene, who shared a first name with the dog that visited her classroom, said, “I have cats, but I still love dogs. The Dalmatian is so cute. The collie is so cute, too. It is fun learning about other people’s jobs and I have the same name as the Dalmatian, Molly.”
Another eighth grader, James Murray, said, “This definitely makes us feel a lot better. I know most of us did badly on a math test before this, and this brought us up a lot. My dad is allergic to dogs, so I am not around dogs a lot. Seeing dogs and me not being allergic makes me happy and I always love petting dogs and dogs in general.”
Principal Frank Camardo told The Ocean Star, “The therapy dog event highlighted the importance of mental health. The therapy dogs served as gentle reminders that it’s OK to take a break, be present in the moment, and find comfort in unexpected places. For many students, it was an opportunity to practice empathy, responsibility and emotional awareness in a fun and engaging way.”
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