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Professional therapy dog in the classroom

By Stephanie Byars - bio | email

SCOTT CITY, MO (KFVS) - A new friend at Scott City Elementary adds new meaning to the saying, "teachers pet."  But this four legged friend is no pet, she's a teacher herself!

Butter is a professional therapy dog.  She's a four-year-old, yellow laborador retriever. 

"After seeing a dog working in Jefferson City, it was an amazing experience," said elementary counselor Jamie Sander. "I knew it was something I needed to happen for our kids here at Scott City." 

With support from the principal and school board, Sander put in a lot of time and her own money to get the professional therapy dog.

Butter comes from a Kansas organization called C.A.R.E.S.  It's a non-profit group that trains service dogs.  She comes from a long line of service dogs.  Her great-grandmother, grandmother and mother were all service dogs.  She's also had four puppies who do the work as well.

Kids are excited to see her!  "She's a very nice dog to come to our school" said one fourth grader.

"She has a work time when she's very serious and her play time when she's able to just be a dog." 

However when she wears her harness, she's all business.  Sander says her demeanour even changes when she's got it in.  It's all part of her training. 

So what does she do in the classroom?  

"Butter is for everybody...every student," said Sander. 

While her job consists of napping and letting students pet her, there's much more to what she does.

"She is there for the kids when they need to talk to her.  She's just being a dog, adding that extra comfort in the classroom," Sander said.

Studies show furry friends can improve reading scores as well as help control anxiety.

"For kids who are nervous or anxious or maybe had a bad day or night, she's their comfort," Sander said. "She can sit down with them and give them a snuggle or pet her and she is available to just be a dog."

The kids also use her for lessons and teachers use her as a reward incentive in the classroom.  The students have written dozens of letters to Butter.  It doesn't only help them improve their writing skills, it can help them share things they may need to talk about.

Maybe the best, Butter makes kids excited to come to school! 

"If you don't want to come to school and are real tired, you remember Butter is there and that makes you want to go to school" said one fourth grader.

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