Sara Sandstrom-Kobi, Nederland. Dogs are coming to the hallways and classrooms at Nederland Elementary, and it is beautiful! NES has teamed up with Therapy Dogs Boulder County (TDBC) to provide dog therapy to children and staff who greatly appreciate the interaction.

Elementary Principal Laurel Reckert wanted to bring therapy dogs to the school after hearing how much benefit they bring to students. Reckert says, “I heard stories about how dogs helped lower stress and anxiety especially with students with special needs. However, having the dogs in the building has helped everyone! As soon as Buddy and Gracie walk in the door, the attitude and demeanor of kids and adults change drastically for the better. The smiles and positive energy that the dogs bring are unquantifiable. Everyone loves seeing the dogs and interacting with them. They’ve been a wonderful addition to our school.”

It is known that and proven that petting a dog lowers blood pressure and increases oxytocin. Oxytocin is the hormone which is associated with empathy and relationship-building. Daryl Holle is the executive director of the volunteer organization TDBC. He says, “People relax when they are around a dog and pet a dog. They start to breathe, and they feel better. The simple presence of a good therapy dog in the school is a welcomed distraction lowering the anxiety levels as the dog passes through a classroom with its handler.”

Nederland Elementary is the second school in the Boulder Valley School District to participate in the therapy dog visitation program operated by TDBC. There are two teams that visit the school on a weekly basis. Gracie and her handler, Jennie McLaughlin, and Buddy and his handler, Mike Sivcovich, are welcomed with hugs and enthusiasm. Jennie McLaughlin says that the best part of the visit is all the smiles Gracie brings to students and staff. Sometimes the dogs get read to and other times they are there just to be petted.

All therapy dog teams consist of a people-friendly household dog with a handler who is living with the dog and over 18 years of age. A dog must be very calm, obedient and looks to the handler for direction. The dog must also love to be petted. The first person to interact with the dog is as important and receives as much affection as the 50th. The handler and dog must go through testing and gain certification. Also, being in a BVSD school means the handler must complete BVSD volunteer requirements.

Therapy Dogs Boulder County is looking for more therapy dog teams. If you have a great dog and are interested in getting started please visit their website at https://therapydogsbouldercounty.com/nederland-elementary-school-nederland/

(Originally published in the April 11, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)