SKYE AND HOPE

Skye, a soon to be 4 year old male GSMD, has left a large paw print on the hearts and minds of our children. Commercial Township School District (CTSD) is located along the Delaware Bay in Cumberland County, the poorest of all 21 counties in the State of New Jersey.  Children of this area not only are asked to overcome socio-economic limitations, but are also affected by a community that exhibits high levels of crime, substance abuse, sexual assault, incarceration, child abuse, homelessness, and violence.  The CTSD consists of two schools, ranging from Pre-Kindergarten to Eighth, with a total population of approximately 600 students. Currently CTSD has a twenty-seven percent special education population (National 13%, and State 16%).  In addition to the 27%, we have numerous students affected by symptoms related to ADHD, PTSD, ODD, Autism, Depression, and Anxiety; many of which are hospitalized throughout the year to assist with their condition.

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GCHS Ch Kismet’s Fire in The Skye THDX CGC, a 33 time Best of Breed Winner, and number four in the country amongst GSMD, and number 38 in the history of the breed with 220 points, received his Canine Good Citizens Award in September of 2016.  During the 2016-2017 School year Skye attended 100 of the 180 calendar days of school; servicing both schools, the local behavioral hospital, and the county library.  Skye is currently certified with eleven handlers in the district, ranging from the district’s administrators, counselors, psychologists, social workers, physical therapist, Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant (LDTC), and reading specialists.  Skye follows a daily schedule attending counseling sessions, working with students in crisis, attending classes with students with PTSD, acts as a behavioral incentive, works with reluctant readers in the Silent Mentors in Literacy Education (S.M.I.L.E) Program, supports our health curriculum by assisting with a dog safety and conflict resolution classes, works with our autistic population on establishing social cues and personal space, and walks on a balance beam, catches a ball, and is asked to pick up specific items that may be a challenge.  Through the adaption of Skye, we have seen a renewed optimism amongst our children, as well as our entire learning community.

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We recently had a graduate student from Brandman University come in and study the academic and social-emotional effects of a classroom service/specialized therapy dog with a handler on student learning and behavior in K-12 Special Education students in emotional/behavioral disorder placements as perceived by the teachers of those students; as the community continues to celebrate the qualitative results we see on a daily basis.  Skye has turned out to be more than a motivator for children, but has re-energized an entire community who finally possesses a tool that that surpasses that of any more affluent neighbor.  This sense of pride was affirmed in SJNews, the Atlantic City Press, The Daily Journal, and the Gloucester County Times.  Since these stories broke, districts across the state have contacted the CTSD in hopes of gaining more details about the program in order to better service their own populations.  

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In preparation for the 2017-2018 school year, we have expanded our program to include a second therapy dog, a beautiful female GSMD, named Hope, who will assist with meeting the demands of our own students, while providing services for neighboring schools.
 

In addition to becoming a big brother, Skye’s role as a therapy dog has expanded significantly since last year. Hope and Skye can be seen daily coming to assist with the social and emotional needs of students in preschool through eighth grade.  On February 3, 2018, Skye and Hope made another road trip to Allentown, Pennsylvania to attend the Lehigh Valley Kennel Club's 39th annual Canine Learning Experience.  Keeping Skye company were his owners, Dr. Daniel J. Dooley and Stephanie Dooley.

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Cumberland County Library is also the recipient of Skye’s services. Monthly, Skye spends the night reading with students countywide to promote literacy.  After Skye heads to Westminster on February 13, 2018, he and Hope will be looking forward to becoming an integral part of Boy Scout Troop 7161, at Our Lady of Peace, in Williamstown NJ.  Skye will go with the boy scouts to the BSA Old Colony District Scout College. This event is open to all scouts in the Gloucester and Salem Counties. Scout College is an opportunity for scouts to work on merit badges with adults that have an interest or background in the field that the merit badge covers. Some of the merit badge courses that will be offered are citizenship, personal fitness, aviation, nuclear science, robotics, chess, along with several others. Skye will be helping the scouts with Disability Awareness since one of the requirements is learning about service animals. This event will be held at Upper Pittsgrove School in Monroeville, NJ.  Robert Bond will be one of the boy scouts that are handling Skye to earn this badge. We are so excited for the positive initiatives that  Skye and Hope have become integral partners.  Paw by paw they are making their mark on this world and we are happy to have a front row seat!