Two Certified Assistance Dogs visited Unit District #6 classrooms for the first time, on Friday, April 6, 2018, accompanied by their Guidance Counselor handlers. The young canines had been at Northside Elementary School, Southside School, and Morrison Junior High School during the week, becoming acclimated to new surroundings, scents, and sounds. Shown in the third grade classroom of Ashley Haskell, Kaiser (dozing at left) and Bo (offering a white paw) were subdued by the afternoon.
Dogs wear their uniform vest while working at school, but it comes off when they arrive at the handler’s home. That is a cue to play and eat. Junior High Counselor Jackie Wiersema, left, noted “the dogs get no food at school.” She cares for Kaiser, a Giant Schnauzer-Standard Poodle mix, called a Giant Schnoodle. Variations of the name are Giant Schnauzerpoo and Giant Schnauzerdoodle. “He will be two in July.”
Bo lives with Elementary Counselor Steve Braasch. The dog celebrated his second birthday “December 29, 2017. Bo is a Border Collie-Lab mix.” This combination is called a Borador.
Both animals trained for two years with individual handlers who were prison inmates in Ellsworth, KS. Ellsworth Correctional Facility’s website lists dog training as one of its inmate programs.
- “Canine Assistance Rehabilitation Education and Services (CARES), Inc. Since 1999, the CARES group has worked with ECF inmates, who teach puppies basic obedience and socialization skills, during a three- to six-month period. Once these skills are mastered, the dogs are placed with individuals who have a variety of challenges (physical, mental, or emotional.)”
Wiersema stated, “They were fully obedience trained when we got them.” Braasch noted, “They eliminate on command.”
“We both went for a week to train with the dogs,” said Wiersema. “There were 20 dogs there,” ready to leave for new venues of service. “They are Professional Therapy Dogs with access to places” such as buildings and airplanes.
Bo and Kaiser cost $2500 each. Braasch “applied for a counseling grant for three years; there was some money in reserve from the original $100,000” grant awards. He trains “area counselors, and my fee helped” pay for the dogs.
The Therapy Dog quest began with Wiersema. “It’s been a dream of mine since grad school. I did a lot of research.” She filed the “online application two years ago and [has] been on a waiting list” [since.] There is a big interest” in the service dog market currently. “People are breeding stock, some dogs are donated to the program, and others have been surrendered by former owners or rescued” from shelters.
Although designed to serve the Elementary Schools and Junior High, Wiersema stated, Bo and Kaiser would be available to the High School if there is a need. She and Kaiser might go to the High School during finals week to lessen test anxiety, she said.
Petting your cat or dog feels good. It can lower your blood pressure, helps your body release a relaxation hormone, and cuts down on levels of a stress hormone.
