Therapy Dog Brings Joy to Children at Spaulding Youth Center
April 09, 2019
Spaulding Youth Center is excited to announce a local therapy dog named Rose has been making bi-weekly visits to its Northfield, New Hampshire campus. Rose, a five-year-old Great Dane, is a graduate of the American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) Program, which she completed at Doggonit Training in Laconia, New Hampshire.
The AKC’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Program is a two-part program designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. Many dog owners complete CGC training and testing as a prerequisite to therapy dog certification. Rose serves as a therapy dog on Spaulding’s campus every Monday afternoon, where she visits students ranging from age five to twenty-one. The children take turns petting even reading to Rose, which gives them a fun and unique opportunity to practice their skills in phonics, public speaking and socialization. Therapy dogs like Rose help ease social anxiety and create a calm atmosphere for children and youth facing behavioral, emotional and physical challenges.
“Rose and I have been warmly welcomed at Spaulding’s beautiful school,” said Samantha Stevens, Rose’s owner. “My husband, Patrick, and I adopted Rose in August 2018 and immediately knew she was destined for special things thanks to her calm and soothing demeanor. We instantly fell in love with her and are thrilled the children and staff at Spaulding Youth Center feel the same way.”
Mr. and Mrs. Stevens previously adopted a child who had been enrolled in Spaulding Youth Center, so the organization holds a very special place in her heart.
“Rose’s frequent visits to our organization have made an incredibly positive impact on our students,” said Robin Raycraft, Director of Clinical and Compliance at Spaulding Youth Center. “Rose is a calm, patient and loving dog and her presence has helped many of our students feel more confident, comfortable and happy. The difference this one animal has made is inspiring.”
Visit https://www.doggonitnh.com/ to learn more about Doggonit Training and their various training programs, including the American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) Program.
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