Therapy dogs visit C-R HS library
Lewis, Logan, Goose and Yogi visited the Cobleskill-Richmondville High School library this week to help students get a break from the stress of mid-term exams.
With wagging tails, the four certified therapy dogs availed themselves of pets, scratches behind the ear and even some selfies, all to help students relax during their downtime between tests.
The therapy dogs have become an annual part of the mid-term and finals weeks at the high school, where librarian Nancy Goldblatt has been arranging their visits for the past four years.
“The students ask about it now,” she said. “The older kids, they know and they ask when it’s happening. A lot of teachers mention how their kids in class comment on it. I get really good feedback.”
Yogi and Goose, both chocolate labs, along with Lewis, a black lab, and Logan, an Australian shepherd, spent about 90 minutes with students.
The dogs are registered through Therapy Dogs International, a volunteer organization “dedicated to regulating, testing and registration of therapy dogs and their volunteer handlers,” according to its website.
All registered therapy dogs have been evaluated for their temperament and behavior. Once they have passed their evaluation, they are able to visit nursing homes, hospitals, schools and other institutions, where research has shown they can help reduce anxiety and stress.
Their visit clearly was appreciated by the students, many of whom left with a little dog hair on their clothes but big smiles on their faces.