While hope comes in many forms, for the students at SHARP School, it is in the wisdom of a 6-year-old goldendoodle — a therapy dog named Hope — and her handler Pam Reinke.
Hope is one of several pet therapy dogs from Gabriel’s Angels that visit the school on a rotating schedule several times a month. SHARP is part of Mesa Public Schools, servicing the special education community, from kindergarten through 12th grade. Its students are at different stages in their emotional development, and the dogs are able to connect with the students.
“The dogs teach our students the same things we work on each day, but in a different way,” Cathy Weigler, school counselor at SHARP, explained. “The kids respond to the dogs without behaviors because it’s all non-verbal. Therefore, learning becomes intrinsic. Students develop relationships with the dogs, fostering trust and unconditional positive regard. During therapy sessions, seven core behaviors are targeted. They are attachment, confidence, self-regulation, affiliation, awareness, tolerance and respect.”
The therapy dogs and their handlers meet with groups of 10 or fewer students, for 30 minutes, every other week. The time includes an activity like brushing the dogs, reading stories, listening to the dog’s heartbeat, brushing the dog’s teeth, learning pet first aid and other practical skills.
“Students are motivated to do well because they know the dogs are coming back. And they love spending time with the dogs.” Cathy stated.
Teaching students about overcoming adversity
This past January, Hope was in a car accident and almost died. She pulled through, but lost her left rear leg. Students shed tears and wrestled with emotions when they heard about Hope’s accident. They learned about empathy, and expressed their thoughts on hand-written cards.
“Hope would smell the cards from the students,” Pam recalled. “She would look at me with that ‘When do we get to go back to school?’ look she associates with the scent of our visiting bag.”
Hope and Pam returned to school three weeks after the accident. With a gentle touch, students ran their fingers through Hope’s soft fur with the most love that they could find in their hearts, taking extra care to avoid touching the incision. Curious about the injury, they peppered the handler with questions like, “Will her leg grow back?” or “What did they do with her leg?”
“We explained that her leg was in the place where they put all legs that are broken,” Pam said.
Self-identifying with Hope’s injuries, the students relayed stories and statements of their own illnesses or issues, bringing them to the forefront. They felt a sense of ownership and responsibility for their pal Hope.
To commemorate the special year, Gabriel’s Angels made clay paw imprints for each student.
When asked how pet therapy dogs make a difference in the lives of these students, Pam said, “The last thing I heard when the students were given Hope’s paw print was, ‘I know that no matter what might happen to me, I can get through it because of what Hope has been through. If she can do all she does with three legs, I can handle anything.’”
For more information about Mesa Public Schools and the therapy dogs, visit the website at www.mpsaz.org.