BY JENNIFER MOONSONG
GLASGOW NEWS 1
The students and staff of the Glasgow school system are suffering from a severe case of puppy love since the arrival of Scout and Winnie, the emotional support Labradoodles that became part of the district in September.
“The addition of Scout and Winnie has had a tremendous, positive impact. Even a few skeptics who felt neutral about us bringing the dogs into the schools have since realized what a good things these dogs are,” said Katrina Ayres, the district’s mental health coordinator.
To her knowledge, Glasgow Independent Schools is the only system in the region that has implemented the use of such support animals.
Ayres is the caregiver for Scout. Bethany Gaffney is a mental health counselor for the school system, and she doubles as the caregiver for Winnie.
The process of welcoming Scout and Winnie began over a year ago. Once it was decided, the search for the right emotional support dogs began. Winnie and Scout are sisters who were acquired through Deer Creek Labradoodles in Owenton. The company, which specializes in service dogs, fully trained the pair to bring calm and comfort before they arrived.
Katrina Ayres, person from left, and Bethany Gaffney are the caregivers/handlers for the two emotional support dogs available at Glasgow Independent Schools, Scout from left, and Winnie. At the end of the day, the dogs go home to family life with Ayres and Gaffney. JENNIFER MOONSONG / GLASGOW NEWS 1
“They are specially trained therapy dogs, and they have been trained to sense sadness and navigate situations when someone is crying,” Ayres said.
They are also trained in deep-pressure therapy and the zen art of nothingness. Deep-pressure therapy involves sitting with people in time of stress and laying across laps for affection and stress relief.
The art of nothingness trains the dogs to be calm and mindful that they can just relax or take a nap. The mindfulness often translates to others in times of crisis.
The biggest benefit has been the way the dogs help children, and sometimes adults, regulate their emotions.
“We are both in the schools everyday. I work with students one on one. They often struggle with anxiety in general and they help alleviate that anxiety. It helps them to regulate their emotional reactions in the classroom and in life,” Gaffney said.
“The children realize they feel happy when they hug a dog, and we utilize it as a tool to teach that it wasn’t the dog that made them happy. They made themselves happy, by the way they feel about it,” Ayres said.
Since the dogs arrived, Ayres and Gaffney have learned to “read” the dogs and vice versa.
“Once I saw Winnie looking at me while she was working, and I could tell she needed a break,” Gaffney said. However, the caregivers agree the dogs love what they do, and it shows.
“They are like everyone else, they need downtime. They have to take breaks. But I have a great story to illustrate how much they love their jobs. One morning I asked Scout if she was ready to go to work. She ran towards me and jumped into her vest,” Ayres said.
When their vests are on, the dogs know they are at work. When the day is done and the vests come off, the pooches are just another member of their respective families in the Ayres and Gaffney homes.
Gaffney said that if she had to pick one word to describe Winnie when she’s at home, it would be “playful.” The Gaffney family already had a family dog named Rusty, and Winnie and Rusty love to be playful and regard each other as brother and sister. Winnie also enjoys playing with Gaffney’s 8-year-old daughter.
Ayres says that Scout has a happy disposition off the job.
“She loves to play with toys, and she bounces around,” Ayres said. There are three children in the home, and both caregivers said the dogs have very naturally integrated into their lives.
Both also say the children of Glasgow Independent Schools have been so eager to welcome the dogs, and mannerly.
Tara Martin, supervisor of instruction for Glasgow Independent Schools, visits with Winnie, one of two therapy service dogs “employed” in the school system. JENNIFER MOONSONG / GLASGOW NEWS 1
“It is a learning opportunity,” Gaffney said. “We teach them not to chase the dogs or grab their tails.”
Ayres said, “You’d be surprised how many children ask to pet the dogs, and I think that’s a reflection of their good raising. These dogs have been taught to welcome hugs, but not all service dogs are and it shows good manners that the children ask first.”
Although helping children in times of need is the main goal, its evident that the staff enjoys their presence as well.
“Adults need those moments as well. They bring a sense of joy and calm and have been helpful to the staff a well. Everyone lights up when they see Scout and Winnie,” Gaffney said.
The two emotional support dogs have needs, and sponsorships are available for the dogs.
Lifeskills and veterinarian Jim Heltsley have both sponsored the dogs. Ayres is the person to call – at 270-651-6757 — to set up a sponsorship from an individual or business.
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