Dogs can make wonderful emotional support animals. Even if they’re ‘only’ our pets we still turn to them when we need a source of comfort.
But CNN reports that some dogs are taking it a step further, supporting students in the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District as they return to school months after the shooting at Robb Elementary School – one of the schools in the district.
Comfort in the Classroom
Understandably, some local students have concerns about returning to school. Not only that, but a number are reluctant to get out of the car when they arrive. But that’s where ten Golden Retrievers were able to step in.
These ten dogs from the Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry were on hand to comfort and distract students, and help ease their nerves at a difficult time.
“There was a lot of hesitancy and anxiety about getting out of the car and going into the school,” explained Bonnie Fear, crisis response coordinator for the ministry, “So we placed the dogs outside, and I do believe that that did help some of the kids see that dog and go, ‘OK, well, I’m going to go pet the dog’”.
Returning To Help
It’s not the first time that comfort dogs have visited Uvalde, either. In the aftermath of the shooting, they were there to help offer support. Given the impact they had the first time round, the school district invited them back for the first three weeks of school.
Each dog has two handlers, and the ten canines will support eight schools between them. At some schools, they’re there to greet students outside. Alternatively, at others, they sit in a hallway or in the counselor’s office – whatever’s best for the students.
Comfort dogs like these Golden Retrievers help in a variety of situations. Some dogs help support children getting their COVID-19 shots, while others help to support victims of crime.
