Palos School District 128 has launched a Therapy Dog visitation program for students at Navajo Elementary and Independence Jr. High in Palos Heights. (Supplied photos)
District 128 schools are going to the dogs and the kids love it
By Kelly White
Pet therapy has also been shown to improve energy levels, self-esteem, social skills, verbal communication and mood, as well as decrease depression.
Palos Heights School District 128 made the decision to bring pet therapy into the classroom to help both its students and staff reap these benefits while enjoying the company of canine companions.
“It was obvious the first day the dogs visited to be introduced at an all-school assembly the benefits we were going to realize from this program,” Supt. Merryl Brownlow said. “The feeling in the building was electric. You could see the high level of enthusiasm surrounding the opportunity in all the smiles and positive responses from students and staff to having the dogs in the building.”
Brownlow was approached last year by a staff member whose mother is one of the lead coordinators of the program, Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs Inc., in the local area.
Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs is a 501 nonprofit organization dedicated to training, evaluating and qualifying people and their well-behaved dogs as therapy dog teams. Founded in 1999 and authorized in all 50 states, Bright & Beautiful has certified more than 14,000 members and dogs that frequent libraries, hospitals, schools and more.
“Post pandemic, we have seen a need to find for more ways to rebuild connections with our students, particularly socially and emotionally, given the social constraints that we all experienced over the last couple of years,” Brownlow said. “As we launched this school year, this program felt like a perfect way to bring even more positive energy to our school cultures and climates in support of students and provide an opportunity for connection. There is nothing like the unconditional love of a furry friend to lift a person’s spirits. It took a few months to get the logistics organized, but we were so thrilled to be able to start the new year with its implementation.”
The coordination of the program was a collaborative effort between Bonnie Littleton from Bright and Beautiful Inc., Brownlow and two principals from participating schools, Dr. Kevin Kirk and Dr. Kaitlin Curran.
Two to three dogs will visit Navajo Heights Elementary School and Independence Junior High School, visiting fourth- through eighth-graders weekly.
These grades were selected by school officials because it was felt that students within these age groups can take direction well on how to interact with the dogs and are developmentally these are the ideal age groups to target for this program in the school setting.
Students will rotate in for therapy dog visits. Any student wishing to participate will have at least one opportunity each trimester, although the dogs will be visible to all students in the school environment coming and going on their visits.
There may also be instances when students may be having a particularly difficult time, and in those cases, the district may schedule more regular visits for those particular students.
Parent communication was shared for the program, providing students with the option to decline participation, particularly for those students with a dander allergy or a fear of dogs.
“Beyond contributing to a positive school culture and climate, there is a huge individual student benefit when having the opportunity to spend time with the dogs one on one,” Brownlow said. “I believe we will be able to foster a connectedness for students like this that may have social emotional challenges in school. I believe the experience with the dogs will transcend into experiences with peers and in school, providing students with a positive experience to share.”
A 2019 study published by the National Institute of Health (linked) found that a dog present in the classroom promotes positive mood and provides significant anti-stress effects on the body, and Brownlow said that is definitely true for her district.
“Dogs provide unconditional love and I think that this program will help nurture relationships across our two schools with their presence,” Brownlow said. “When we sent our parent communication out regarding this program, we received an overwhelmingly positive response in support of this opportunity.”
Educators within the district are just as happy with the program as the parents.
“I like how the therapy dogs provide comfort and social emotional learning support for our students,” Kaitlin Curran, Principal at Navajo Heights Elementary School, said. “When the dogs arrive at Navajo, it immediately brightens everyone’s day. Students skip down the hallway and have big smiles on their faces after interacting with the dogs. Seeing how it has impacted our students in such a positive way has been so rewarding.”
“The therapy dogs have been a wonderful addition to our school to promote social emotional development,” Ashley Battaglia, Social Worker at Navajo Heights Elementary School, said. “I love seeing the excitement on the student’s faces as soon as they see the therapy dogs enter the building. Students have a new outlet for expressing their emotions, and the dogs make great listeners. I am looking forward to seeing all the amazing benefits from the implementation of this program.”
This is the first year of the program and if it goes as well as anticipated, the district would hope to sustain it as long as Bright & Beautiful is able to support it.
“How 10 minutes could make such an impact on a student’s mindset is absolutely amazing,” Beth Ross, Health Aide at Independence Junior High School, said.
Local News
Community pride is flying high
Spread the love. By Patti Tyznik Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (708) 496-0265 • ptyznik@gmail.com . It’s a “banner day” in Garfield Ridge! If you take a look around the neighborhood, you’ll see brand new Garfield Ridge community signs hanging from the light posts running along Archer. What a wonderful way to highlight…
Softball | Mother McAuley seeks to right ship
Spread the loveFrom Staff Reports The 2024 season is off to an uneven and somewhat rocky start for Mother McAuley. The Mighty Macs opened the spring with consecutive losses — 9-3 to Oak Forest on March 11 and 18-1 to Benet on March 13 — before getting off the schneid with an 18-1 win over…
Boys Basketball | Players from Evergreen Park and Brother Rice to ball at prospect showcase
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Five players from the area have been invited to play on the South Suburban Team at the Illinois Hoop Prospect Senior All-Star Games scheduled to be played March 24 at Joliet Junior College. Brother Rice’s Zavier Fitch and Ty Wooten join Evergreen Park’s Nolan Sexton, Marist’s Darshan Thomas and…
Girls Basketball | George Shimko takes reins for Mustangs
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent One longtime area basketball coach will succeed another at Evergreen Park. George Shimko, who brought success to the girls basketball programs at Queen of Peace and St. Laurence, has been named the new girls hoops coach at Evergreen Park. He will succeed Bruce Scaduto, who retired after 27 years…
De La Salle tabs Harold Blackmon as next football coach
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent A pair of familiar coaches from the area have landed in new spots. Harold Blackmon, who has been head football coach at St. Laurence and Oak Lawn, has been named coach at De La Salle. George Shimko, a former girls basketball coach at Queen of Peace and St. Laurence,…
Red Stars, rugby will highlight big weekend at SeatGeek
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Things will get busy in Bridgeview this weekend. The Chicago Fire II will host its season opener against Toronto FC II at 6 p.m. Friday, March 22 at SeatGeek Stadium. The following day, the Chicago Red Stars make their 2024 home debut against Seattle at 3 p.m. Rugby invades…
Red Stars Report | Cooks provide recipe for success in Red Stars’ win over Utah
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Lorne Donaldson era is already Cook-ing. The new Chicago Red Stars coach enjoyed a victory in his debut with a 2-0 triumph over Utah in the NWSL season-opener for both teams on March 16 at America First Field in Sandy, Utah. The game was the first in franchise…
College Sports Wrap | Morton College OF Angelo Luna slugs two grand slams in one day
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Area college baseball sluggers had a grand time on March 16. Former St. Laurence standout Angelo Luna, a sophomore outfielder at Morton College, hit two grand slams and drove in 10 runs over two games as the Panthers beat Highland, 7-3 and 18-5, in a doubleheader at home. Luna…
College Notebook | Ex-Mount Carmel wrestler Sergio Lemley takes fourth in Big Ten
Spread the loveBy Mike Walsh Correspondent One reason the Michigan wrestling team has been successful this season is freshman Sergio Lemley. At the Big Ten tournament, Lemley won three of his five matches to finish fourth at 141 pounds. The Wolverines placed second with 123.5 points behind conference champion Penn State (170.5). In the consolation…
Take back the country from the rich
Spread the love. By Ray Hanania . The pandemic gave license to politicians and businesses to pursue their own needs and priorities over the needs of the public. It’s all political BS, of course, when people claim the economy is great. It’s not, unless you are making a fortune. Everyone has seen the cost increases…
Neighbors
After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO — State regulators are once again considering massive electric utility spending plans that would affect the state’s climate goals – and 5.4 million electric customers’ monthly bills – after rejecting previous versions late last year. The Illinois Commerce Commission forced the state’s two major electric utilities, Commonwealth…
Capitol Briefs: Pritzker executive order creates advisory council for affordable sickle cell treatment
DILPREET RAJU Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday signed an order to create an advisory council to examine how Illinois’ Medicaid program can help cover costs of emerging gene therapies that effectively treat sickle cell disease and other rare disorders. About 5,000 Illinoisans live with sickle cell disease, a gene defect most…
Illinois high court asked to review law limiting venue in constitutional challenges
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Supreme Court is being asked to decide on the constitutionality of a new state law that says constitutional challenges to state laws and actions can only be filed in Cook or Sangamon counties. Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office on Monday filed an appeal directly…
Diversity, judicial appointments at issue in 1st District Supreme Court race
By HANNAH MEISEL DILPREET RAJU & JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com The race for one of the seven Illinois Supreme Court seats pits an appointed incumbent against a second-time candidate as the two Democrats vie for their party’s nomination next week. Because no Republican has filed to run for the Cook County-based seat, it’s…
Pritzker agency heads questioned on $1.1 billion revenue proposals
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker’s revenue and budget directors took questions from a legislative panel Thursday on his proposals to generate another $1.1 billion in the upcoming fiscal year through various tax changes. Pritzker’s proposed spending plan anticipates $52.9 billion in revenue, with new funds raised by increasing…
Diversity, judicial appointments at issue in 1st District Supreme Court race
By HANNAH MEISEL DILPREET RAJU & JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com The race for one of the seven Illinois Supreme Court seats pits an appointed incumbent against a second-time candidate as the two Democrats vie for their party’s nomination next week. Because no Republican has filed to run for the Cook County-based seat, it’s…
Bailey vs. Bost congressional race among GOP primaries to watch
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The March 19 primaries in Illinois may seem anticlimactic to those who are only interested in presidential politics. Democratic President Joe Biden and Republican former President Donald Trump sewed up their nominations a full week before polls even opened in the Prairie State. But further down…
Candidate Q&A: Cunningham, Reyes make pitch for Supreme Court seat
Compiled by Capitol News Illinois There’s one contested primary for an Illinois Supreme Court seat on the March 19 ballot, with appointed incumbent Justice Joy Cunningham facing challenger and 1st District Appellate Court Justice Jesse Reyes. The 1st District race is for one of three Cook County seats and one of seven spots on the…
Pritzker agency heads questioned on $1.1 billion revenue proposals
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker’s revenue and budget directors took questions from a legislative panel Thursday on his proposals to generate another $1.1 billion in the upcoming fiscal year through various tax changes. Pritzker’s proposed spending plan anticipates $52.9 billion in revenue, with new funds raised by increasing…
House panel opens hearings on Pritzker’s health insurance reforms
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – A panel of Illinois lawmakers began hearing testimony Wednesday on Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposals for sweeping changes in the state’s health insurance industry. The changes, which Pritzker first unveiled in his State of the State address in February, would limit the ability of companies to deny…