We are excited to announce that College Hills Elementary is introducing a therapy dog to our campus to support our students' emotional well-being and development. We believe that incorporating a therapy dog into our school environment can bring numerous benefits to our students.
Benefits of Having a Therapy Dog on Campus
- Emotional Support: Therapy dogs have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety levels in students, providing comfort and emotional support during challenging times.
- Positive Atmosphere: The presence of a therapy dog can create a warm and welcoming atmosphere in the school, fostering a sense of community and belonging among students, staff, and families.
- Social Skills Development: Interacting with a therapy dog can help students improve their social skills, empathy, and communication abilities, as they learn to care for and interact with the dog in a respectful and compassionate manner.
- Mental Health Benefits: Studies have shown that spending time with therapy dogs can help alleviate symptoms of depression and improve overall mental well-being in both children and adults.
About Koda
- Breed: Sheepadoodle (F1B- Does not shed)
- Age: 6 months old
- Training: Koda will undergo extensive training to become a certified therapy dog. He is gentle, friendly, and loves being around children.
Program Goals
- Emotional Support: Koda will be available to comfort students who may be feeling anxious or stressed.
- Social Skills: Interactions with Koda can help students develop empathy, compassion, and better social skills.
- Reading Assistance: Koda will be part of our reading program where students can read aloud to him, helping to build their confidence and reading abilities.
- General Well-being: Having Koda around is expected to create a positive and happy environment in our school.
- Implementation Visits: Koda will be visiting classrooms and participating in special events regularly.
- Supervision: He will always be accompanied by a trained handler to ensure the safety and well-being of both Koda and the students.
- Health and Safety: Koda is up-to-date on all vaccinations and health checks. We have also taken measures to ensure a clean and safe environment for everyone.
Opting In or Opting Out
We understand that some families may have concerns or preferences regarding their child's interaction with a therapy dog. Therefore, we are providing an option for parents/guardians to either opt in or opt out of their child's participation in visits with the therapy dog.We value your input and would like to hear your thoughts and preferences regarding this initiative. Please take a moment to review the attached opt-in/opt-out form and indicate your choice. Your feedback will help us make informed decisions about the implementation of the therapy dog program at College Hills Elementary. Thank you for your continued support in creating a positive and nurturing learning environment for our students. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Therapy Dog Opt-in/Opt-Out Form
College Hills PTO Fundraiser for Koda's Training
The College Hills Elementary PTO is raising funds to provide the training needed for Koda to be on campus as a certified emotional support animal. Koda will be the FIRST emotional support dog on any public-school campus in Bryan/College Station!
We are delighted to introduce Koda, our new therapy dog, who will be joining the College Hills Elementary family this school year. Koda was donated to the College Hills family in order to help support the growth of our students.Koda will be a specially trained therapy dog who will be working alongside our staff to provide additional emotional and social support to our students. The presence of a therapy dog has been shown to have numerous benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety, improving mood, and enhancing social interactions.