Students in the Parsons School District have an extra resource to provide support and comfort. For the past six years the district has had a therapy dog inside just one of its schools. Now every school in the district has a certified therapy dog. “I tell the kids he’s here for you guys. When you guys are down and you’re upset and you need you just need to pitch someone. You just need to hug someone. And he gets plenty of hugs and kisses,” said Jo Rae. Administrators say the dogs are a benefit for the schools in ways such as reducing negative behavior in the students, as well as dealing with stress. “It helps with students anxiety as they come into the room with just managing things at home and coming to school in a brand new class. But also when something is tough and they feel stressed out, they can come pet Sofia and there chill,” said Wendy Vaughn.
Source: KSNF/KODE
