Therapy Dogs Offer Gateway Students Support

As bleary eyed students walk the hallways during arrival at Gateway High School, they’re greeted by a wagging tail and a friendly face: Roxie, a labrador retriever.

Over at Gateway Middle School or Ramsey Elementary, the cool disposition of pint-sized Kyla, a havapoo, or Ranger, a goldendoodle, helps ease the tensions of young learners in difficult times. At the Gateway School District administrative office, Ben, a golden retriever, roams around from office to office, nudging hands for pets and offering companionship and a quick break from work.

These four canines compose the Gateway School District crew of therapy dogs. Kyla, Richard Taylor’s dog at Gateway Middle School, was the trendsetter, getting therapy dog certified last school year. Since then, other district employees have been inspired. Dennis Chakey, Ben’s owner and the district’s Assistant Superintendent, was the first to come to Taylor with questions on how to get his lovable golden retriever certified.

Next, Kylie Martin — a Ramsey Elementary counselor and Ranger’s owner – and Grant Sample – Roxie’s owner and a Gateway High School teacher – inquired with Taylor and got their dogs certified. Taylor brings Kyla to school roughly four, if not five days a week. Sample and Martin bring their pooches once a week. Chakey brings Ben into the office intermittently.

“It’s heartening. I was really pleased with the school board and how they’ve taken it on. It really helps our kids and we have a lot of support from our parents, too,” said Taylor.

“It’s a proven thing that dogs help make people feel better.”

Taylor was first inspired by a therapy dog at Penn-Trafford, where his oldest son attends high school. Up until that point, Taylor didn’t know it was a possibility to have a therapy dog at a school. Knowing his dog Kyla’s chill disposition – and motivated to help ease student’s tensions — he got Kyla therapy dog certified through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. The roughly two and half month process concludes after the dog passes three evaluations, at a special education school or nursing home, for example. The dog must also exhibit key behaviors, like the ability to easily socialize with unfamiliar people, maintain a cool, gentle disposition, and to not pull on a leash.

Since becoming certified, Kyla has become a staple at Gateway Middle School. Whether she’s walking the hallways with Taylor, helping with interventions with students in the counseling office, or stopping in a classroom to help ease tensions before a test, Kyla seems to light up everyone’s face.

“When kids see me, it’s not even like ‘Hi Mr. Taylor.’ Instead it’s ‘is Kyla here today?’ She took number one. She’s up here and then we’re all down here,” said Taylor.

“When I have her for morning duty, pretty much every kid comes by to pet her. Some kids will stand there and talk to her.”

Students like 6th grader Johanna Larson look forward to seeing Kyla everyday. Last year, as a 5th grader, Larson at times got stressed by her new, much bigger school. But seeing Kyla on a regular basis made Larson feel more at home, reminding her of her family’s beagle.

“I just love dogs and she loves me back,” said Larson. “She makes me feel happy. All of my classmates love her too.”

From the stressors of education, social life, or social media, students have quite a bit on their plate. Beyond staff, having the support of a dog has proven helpful for a number of students.

“Some of the kids that I’ve been working with have really been changing since she’s come on. They like to see her, and I’ve really noticed a difference in their behaviors. I definitely attribute it to her. She’s had an impact,” said Taylor.

“I had a kid come the other day and they were really anxious. I put Kyla on their lap and that’s the icebreaker because they’ll pet her while they’re talking. It helps bring the kids down and help with their anxieties.”

“It’s one of those things that students won’t always open up when they’re having a hard time,” added Sample. “If a kid is quiet, a dog will usually help them open up quickly because they’ll come right up to you and want to pet and give you love. It’s a little easier for students to relate to a dog sometimes because they’re so friendly.”

Sample brings Roxie along on Wednesdays, having her greet students as they arrive and bringing her around classrooms in free periods of time.

“It’s nice for them to see a dog, a happy face. They might still be half asleep, but seeing Roxie is a great way to start the day. The kids love her. The kids will stop in my room and ask about her. They’ll stop by between class changes,” said Sample.

“Labs in general are such friendly dogs and bring joy to everybody. One quote that I always remember from my breeder is that every day is like Christmas for them. They’re always excitable and loving.”

Sample and Taylor were quick to add that therapy dogs are helpful for the adults in their buildings, too. Chakey’s dog, Ben, largely serves that function, but tags along with him on visits to schools, as well.

“During meetings, I’ll take Kyla off the leash and she just walks around the room and greets every teacher and puts a smile on everybody’s face,” said Taylor. “It’s not just for the kids, it helps out the adults, too.”