While some students are learning physics and algebra, Obi, Teddy, and Teeter are doing something completely different. These unusual attendees remain vigilant and are working 100% of the time. They are, after all, service dogs.
Therapy counselor Obi is not a typical high school counselor, he is a German Shorthaired Pointer. He has worked to help the students and staff at the high school for 2 years now with his special ability; he can sense when students are in need of comfort and a kind paw.
“He got out of the office… [and] went straight, not to the student he knew, but to the one that was crying,” counselor Dawn Kirk said. “He leaned into her hands on her lap. It’s kind of like they know who’s sad.”
In a study conducted by the National Library of Medicine, it was found that students who interacted with therapy dogs were “more likely to have a more positive affect.” In fact, it recommended that schools add therapy dogs to their health promotion programs for students, as they may “help improve their mood and reduce stress.” Students who visited Obi concurred.
“I didn’t think it was gonna really do anything. [But] it worked a lot,” sophomore Hannah Widener said. “He kept putting his paw on my hand where I was shaking because I was panicking and he kept hitting my hand with his paw. He eventually fell asleep [on my hand] and started snoring really loudly.”
While Obi is trained to be a resource for the students and staff to benefit from, Teeter and Teddy are trained to help the specific needs of each of their owners. Whether this is scent detection or alerting when help is needed, the training takes time and dedication. The resident Golden Retriever Teddy has been trained for the majority of his life.
“I have had Teddy for 7 years,” senior Connor Vassigh said. “He was trained in a facility in another state before I got him.”
While the dogs spend their days working and fine-tuning those special abilities to assist their owners and perform a job, they are still dogs with a love of playing, running, and other activities. Teeter, a Coonhound-Poodle mix, is a puppy who enjoys singing with her siblings.
“When they go home, they get to be dogs…we call [Teeter and her siblings] the Coonhound choir because they don’t shut up,” Law Enforcement teacher Candice Bradshaw said. “They sing to each other, and they have conversations. She is very verbal, highly energetic. [Teeter is] a puppy. She gets to do all of those things. But she still has to mind her manners.”
While Teeter and Obi’s jobs mean they spend most of their working days in specific rooms, Teddy goes class to class with his best friend Connor. They roll through the halls as a classic duo, bringing joy to both Connor and the students who meet the duo.
“I’ve felt a lot happier since getting him,” Vassigh said. “He helps me make more friends, people notice him and get happy when they see a dog.”
These hard-working dogs are a Klein High staple due to their ability to help all they meet.
“Animals can lower stress in individuals, control anxiety, regulate emotions, and improve mood,” counselor Jose Cardenas said. “The greatest benefit of having dogs at school is that it provides another option to receive support for our students struggling with mental health concerns. There are moments when a student just needs compassion and a calming presence.”
