Greeley High therapy dog program highlighted at MSAD 51 board meeting

Greeley High School staff and a student on Thursday described the high school's therapy dog program, saying the dogs provide brief mental-health interventions and help students meet individual education goals.

Denise Allen, Greeley High health teacher and manager of the therapy-dog program, told the MSAD 51 Board of Directors the program supports trauma-informed pedagogy and social and emotional learning in classrooms. "Her primary job is located in the health classroom ... to be part of a trauma informed pedagogy, but also to support social and emotional learning in the classroom," Allen said.

Student speaker Hunter Cram told the board he began walking with Harper weekly about a year and a half ago while dealing with a leg condition. "After I started walking with Harper though, it just lightened my mood. It was something to look forward to every week," Hunter said. He described improved mobility and reduced symptoms of depression after participating.

Allen said Harper is the high school's third therapy dog and that program staff use American Sign Language commands so hearing-impaired students can participate. She described additional initiatives tied to the program, including a "couch to 5K" walk-run program aimed at students who do not typically participate in athletics; nine students were completing the program in advance of a May 4 school event.

Board members thanked Allen and Hunter and noted community interest in the program. The remarks were part of the board's recognition and highlights segment; no formal action was taken on the therapy-dog program during the meeting.

Board discussion and public-comment time later in the meeting included separate items on staffing and budget but did not include motions regarding the therapy dog program itself.