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Board members praise therapy dog program after Gwenor Elementary visit
Summary
Committee members and board representatives described a classroom visit to Gwenor Elementary, where a teacher‑led therapy‑dog program and the district’s climate coordinator were highlighted as benefits for students and school climate.
Board members on the Safe Schools Committee reported a recent visit to Gwenor Elementary to observe a teacher‑led therapy‑dog program and to hear from staff about the program’s classroom benefits.
Two committee members described meeting Penny, the district’s new therapy dog, and hearing from staff and students about calming and reconnecting effects in classroom settings. "The dog, Penny, is truly an ambassador for the therapy dog program," said Board Director McMurtry, who attended the visit.
Administrators said the program is teacher‑led at Gwenor and commended the principal and the animal’s handler; they described the effort as involving family and school staff. Committee members also noted the role of the school’s climate coordinator and said that the therapy dog program complements broader climate and culture work.
Next steps: administrators said they will consider how to support expansion of teacher‑led therapy‑dog programs in other schools while proceeding cautiously to address logistics and appropriateness for each building. No formal action or funding decision was made at the meeting.
