Mattie(TDI certified) and I have found our calling!

[Ginny Nightingale]

I put this discussion on the main page as well--but thought it might actually belong here!

Mattie and I had a terrific Therapy dog experience today--maybe this goes on in your area--we were invited to go to a major state university that is about 35 minutes away to hang out with the students on the day before finals. There were 12 therapy dogs coming over 4 hours. When we got there just a few hours before the end,there were 4 other dogs there, but we were in a lounge area and couches blocked our view of each other....there was a huge Australian LD who was gorgeous! Mattie thought it was an indoor dog park and wanted to play but I got her settled down and she was immediately surrounded by students. The kids went wild for her--she is very affectionate and sweet and the students picked up on that right away. They sat on the floor and let her kiss them and they gave her great belly rubs. It got everyone talking about their beloved dogs at home and how much they missed them. Some of the students were saying that this was the best event they had had and were hoping we would come back for the next set of finals. Mattie really enjoyed the attention, so hopefully, we will be invited back.

Since I was a high school teacher for over 30 years, I felt very comfortable with this age group and had a great time chatting with them about school, their summer vacation plans, etc. It was really fun and it gave me an idea. In my state of New York, the kids in high school have ten days of state finals called Regents exams--it is very nerve-wracking--I think I might ask the principal of the school I retired from if Mattie and I can hang out in the lobby on test days--not the whole time, but here and there--to give the kids some stress relief. I think it would be a great time for all. If you have a therapy dog, maybe this is going on at your schools--or could be--this is a terrific help to the kids who are stressed out.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Wally and I went to a similar event last night at MIT.  Besides the opportunity to visit with the dogs, the school offered massages and acupuncture!  Times have changed, for sure, since I was a student!