PUNXSUTAWNEY – On a monthly basis, Punxsutawney Area School District students and staff are now greeted by some wet noses and wagging tails from the Punxsy Therapy Dogs group.
Punxsutawney Area High School Head Principal Sheena Smelko said this idea was first presented and discussed with the school board in spring of last year.
“After the presentation, our administrative team started working on a policy that would allow therapy dogs to come into the buildings to work with our students,” she said.
Once everything was in place, Smelko said they reached out to Punxsutawney dog trainer Peggy Brown and planned a day for the therapy dogs to visit both the elementary and high schools.
The goal is to have the dogs at both schools, and in the buildings on a monthly basis, Smelko said.
“During these visits, the students will interact with the dogs in various ways,” she said. “Providing the opportunity for therapy dogs within our schools is a great way to support our students with various needs.”
Brown said it’s been a joyful experience to see the students take time out of their day to pet the dogs during visits.
“We all like to share the love of our dogs,” she said. “It makes their (the students’) day better and brighter, and it’s a fact that petting a dog lowers blood pressure and puts you in a better mood.”
There are seven therapy dog teams in the group, called Punxsy Therapy Dogs, Brown said, six from Punxsutawney and one from DuBois. The group has four golden retrievers, one black labrador, one yellow labrador and a rottweiler. Brown noted that she has helped train four out of the seven dogs.
“Even the teachers look forward to the dogs visiting,” she noted.
Brown and her 6-year-old golden retriever, Piper, also visit Jefferson Manor once a month to visit with residents and staff.
If anyone is interested in having their pup become a therapy dog, Brown advises them to reach out to her and she can help to train them. Contact pegdave123@gmail.com.