A new therapy dog program was introduced today at Odyssee.
A total of eight therapy dogs made an appearance at the school - all dogs part of the St. John’s Ambulance Dog Therapy program.
The dogs are used in various situations around the community including at Canadore and Nipissing University. However, this is the first time the dogs have been brought in to interact with middle school and high school students.
“We thought it would be a good idea and a good destresser for the children and it is a pilot program right now,” said organizer Andrew Girard, who brought in his 15-year-old dog Molly.
Girard helped organize the program and Odyssee principal Ashli Lewis believes it is a great concept.
“Their faces say it all it’s incredible, when they come down into the foyer you can see the smiles on their faces and they are just so happy right now,” stated Lewis.
“We have seen a lot of success with therapy dogs in different places, and it has become such a positive way to feel better and kids today deal with so much anxiety and a lot of stresses. Things are different today so if we can just have them relax and try to enjoy themselves a little bit then it is great, put a smile on their face.”
Girard believes therapy dogs can be beneficial to all age groups; from seniors to students.
“It has proven to relieve the stress from people, it brings your blood pressure down petting a dog,” said Girard.
Girard says they expect to bring the dogs in once a week and just in time to help the students relieve the stress of exams coming later this month.
