OPS therapy dogs a ‘huge hit’ with students

September 16, 2019 | 3:15 am

Updated September 20, 2019 | 3:09 pm

Abby, a therapy dog who recently joined Owensboro Innovation Middle School, has become a student favorite. She attends the school on Fridays, which are highly anticipated by the student body. | Photo by Ashley Sorce

Owensboro Public Schools approved a board policy last year stating that any school in the district can deploy a therapy animal, as long as the proper insurance and paperwork has been signed.

Superintendent Nick Brake finds the animal serves a valid role for the selected school. As of now, three therapy dogs have been implemented at different schools across the OPS district, and board members say the animals have been a huge hit with the kids.

Therapy dogs in schools can perform many jobs, such as reducing childrens’ stress, helping kids learn to read, even boosting test scores and attendance. Brake said the owners of these animals have to present the board with the required material before being deployed to a school in need.

According to OPS board members, therapy animals are becoming popular across the state and country.

“They have to provide information about the animal, and they have to get an insurance policy to demonstrate to us that they have the appropriate amount of coverage,” said OPS Superintendent Nick Brake.

As of now, iMiddle and Sutton Elementary have implemented therapy dogs, while Estes Elementary School is working on the finishing touches to get a therapy dog there as well.

“They’re a pretty big hit and, of course, you’re seeing more and more everywhere,” Brake said.

Despite the popularity of therapy dogs, Brake said discussion has been had at the cabinet level about the need and number of therapy dogs in public schools.

“At one point do we say, ‘Hey, we’ve got more therapy animals than human beings in the building?’” he said. “We have to be cognizant of the fact that there is a balance, but having them right now — it seems like they’re appropriately deployed.”

Those using the therapy animals include special education and behavioral-focused classrooms, as well as in family resource centers and guidance offices.

“They’re being used in those circumstances right now, where we feel like it’s a fit for the intent of those animals,” he said. “But we’re ever mindful of the fact that sometimes these things can get a little out of hand, so we’re trying to stay ahead of the game when it comes to those policies passed last year.”

Brake is in charge of deciding how each animal is deployed throughout the district.

September 16, 2019 | 3:15 am

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