Brooke Visits New Students
September 9, 2020
It’s not just students who are getting used to their new online classrooms. One local guidance counselor is reaching out to her students in a creative way with the help of a four-legged friend.
Therapy dog Brooke has been helping students at Monac Elementary School for 12 years, but because of the coronavirus pandemic, this year is looking a little different.
Melanie Robinson has been a counselor at the school for 12 years with Brooke by her side for two. The pair typically visits each classroom every other week for a special lesson. But because Monac is starting the school year online, Robinson is taking a unique approach to welcome new students that she’ll be working with virtually until it’s safe to be back in school: a front yard meeting with masks, gift bags and of course Brooke herself. “She is an immediate attraction and they’re instantly drawn to her,” Robinson said. “She’s very calm, she’s very soft and they instantly will talk to her even if they’re not comfortable talking with an adult.” Robinson says forming an in-person bond with her students is important especially with more of them feeling the isolation of distance learning.
“They are able to feel your energy, put a face to a name, they get to meet and pet Brooke, which is an instant, immediate friend that they have, that they know when they walk into the building for the first time.”
On Thursday, it’s second grader Khai. Not only is she new to Monac but to the entire Washington Local Schools district.
Her mom Kristal Barham says the mobile meeting will help her daughter open up when schools do. “Just to have an adult there that she now feels comfortable with—and I just think the therapy dog is an extra touch, to have a dog that she can go to and can just help her and soothe her and calm her down,” Barham said. And it’s reassuring for Barham herself too.
“I think her coming, me actually being able to talk to the teacher, actually see the therapy dog, I think it really makes me feel a lot more comfortable with Khai starting.”
Monac Elementary will reevaluate the status of the coronavirus in October to determine if the school can start hybrid learning.
Register your Dog Schedule a Visit
Recent News
Students Get Therapy Dog
When middle school students return to class on Jan. 11, they’ll find a new face at the door: Daisy. Daisy is a therapy dog and the personal pet of Rob Kreger, principal of the Rock L. Butler Middle School. The five-year-old golden retriever is not a school pet or mascot, but rather a working dog […]
Therapy Dogtor
Last March, Caroline Benzel, a third-year medical student, began to notice the stress and discomfort her nurse friends were feeling from the pressures of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. “[Personal protective equipment] can be really rough on the skin,” Benzel, 31, tells PEOPLE. Benzel and her 3-year-old Rottweiler, Loki (who’s also a therapy dog) hatched a […]
Therapy Dog Pups
When Stanley the miniature fox terrier’s owner passed away, the little dog started a ‘paw-some’ new role – bringing puppy love to some of the Gold Coast’s oldest residents. After Carinity Cedarbrook Diversional Therapist Julianne Staff adopted Stanley, he began visiting the aged care community at Mudgeeraba as a therapy dog. Therapy dogs help to […]
Therapy Dogs At School
Those who own a dog can attest to their ability to lift mood, improve stress and bring joy by simply being there, unanswering, seemingly all-knowing and always delighted to see you. Therapy animals are known for their calm and comforting nature, giving people a way to relax, de-stress and interact with a loving pet. They […]
Wonder Dog
For those of us with dogs, we know they quickly become major parts of the family. You live for and care for just like one of your own children, and one dog right here in Oklahoma City is beating the odds, and helping others recover as a therapy dog, despite all of the issues he’s […]
Scott And Charlie
Cherokee Middle School students may do a little more “doodling” second semester starting this month (January), but also will improve their attendance marks because of a special attraction at the school, courtesy of Principal Scott Aden. Aden, an effective, caring administrator, has acquired and will house and handle a young female Golden Doodle (Charlie) that […]
Hope For Veterans
E5 Therapy opened in April with a different way to help veterans in therapy. They offer canine-assisted therapy along with talk therapy to veterans and veterans’ families in Solano County. Owner Matthew Decker is a licensed clinical social worker in Northern California, focused on helping veterans achieve their mental health goals. Along with his team, […]