Therapy Dog Program
September 25, 2023
Hello Families!
During the 2022-2023 the J. Turner Hood Elementary School piloted and implemented the use of therapy (comfort) dog services. We are excited to reintroduce this practice this school year.
Currently, we have Logan as our therapy dog. Logan is a certified therapy dog through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Both he and his handler, Mr. Jeff Borkowski (a North Reading resident and North Reading parent) have gone through extensive training and classroom preparation to receive this certification.
Secondly, we have Murphy, my personal dog available as well. Murphy is a certified therapy dog through Therapy Dogs International (TDI).
The benefits are numerous according to the literature. Through this research, we have learned the following:
A 2019 study published by the National Institute of Health found that a dog present in the classroom promotes a positive mood and provides significant anti-stress effects on the body.
A study conducted by the University of California on canine reading programs found that students who participated in one program increased their reading fluency by between 12 percent and 30 percent.
Therapy dogs help children learn social skills, preventing social isolation. Interaction with therapy dogs has also been found to cause a social catalyst effect, and this further helps improve the stimulation of social behavior.
It is important to also understand the connection that this program has to our goals, specifically focusing on improving the school climate and students’ emotional experiences.
It is our plan to slowly reintroduce this program now that the initial hustle and bustle of the school opening is complete. Logan is scheduled to start his first day on: Tuesday, October 3, 2023.
Murphy’s official start date is pending.
Please let us know prior to Friday, September 29, 2023, if your child will not participate by completing this form: https://forms.gle/oXovKsZpgZYH9JQTA
Please feel free to reach out to me via email if you have any questions.
Warm Regards,
Mr. Glen McKay, Principal