Animal Assisted Intervention

Meet Penny: Our Hardworking Four-Legged Friend!

It has been a busy semester for our FSE therapy dog, Penny! She has been making her rounds and visiting classrooms across the school, becoming a beloved part of our routine. Whether she is listening to a student practice their reading, acting as an extra-special class reward, or providing a much-needed "brain break" during a tough lesson, Penny’s presence brings a sense of calm and joy to everyone she meets.

More Than Just a Cute Face

Penny isn't just visiting; she’s helping our students build leadership skills! During her visits, students have the opportunity to step into the role of "Handler." They practice clear communication and confidence by asking Penny to perform specific tasks, including:

• Classic Skills: Sit, Lay Down, and Shake Hands

• Fun Challenges: Pick a Hand, Leave It, Crawl, Watch, and even Roll Over!

Lessons in Perseverance and Purpose

Through Penny, our students are learning the true meaning of Animal-Assisted Therapy. They’ve discovered that just like us, Penny comes to school to work! The students have been learning to be consistent in their efforts, ensuring that Penny truly "earns" her treats through successful tasks.

Penny has become a wonderful living example of perseverance. Sometimes a task takes a few tries, but Penny doesn't give up—and neither do we! As we often say, it doesn’t matter how slow you go as long as you don’t give up.

We are so proud of how the students have respected Penny’s individuality and worked alongside her. We can’t wait to see what lessons our favorite pup shows us next!