Warsaw R-IX School District is excited to announce the newest member of the Wildcat Family: Turtle! This four-legged friend will soon be seen around our district campuses.
Turtle has earned the following certifications: Canine Good Citizen, Advanced Canine Good Citizen, Urban Reading Education Assistant Dog, and Certified Therapy Dog.
Turtle’s first visit with students will be during our upcoming Food for America Day on Friday, October 16!
Turtle and his owner and handler, Peggy, will begin providing services at both North and South Elementary. As part of his visits, students will have the opportunity to read to Turtle, helping build reading confidence and making reading a fun, positive experience.
You may soon start hearing stories from your student(s) about Turtle visiting their school. We are excited about this partnership and would like to thank Peggy for her willingness to partner with us!
If you have any questions regarding these services, please contact your student’s school office.
Below is information from Peggy, Turtle’s owner and handler, about the benefits we hope their presence will bring to our school district.
Therapy Dogs and Mental Health Benefits
Therapy dogs and mental health benefits go hand-in-hand. Therapy dogs have become increasingly popular in facilities such as college campuses, airports, hospitals, home visits, and more venues. There are several reasons for this but one of the major factors is the positive impact therapy dogs have on mental health.
Therapy Dogs Reduce Stress Levels
Stress can take a toll on our minds and body. It can cause muscle tension, affect our sleep patterns, increase blood pressure, and feelings of negativity and frustration. Stress also increases the risk of serious health concerns such as heart disease and diabetes.
Studies have shown that petting a therapy dog can help lower cortisol levels, which is the primary hormone associated with stress. Additionally, interacting with a therapy dog can increase the production of oxytocin, a hormone linked with feelings of comfort and contentment.
Therapy Dogs Make Us Feel Less Alone
Therapy dogs are rooting for you! They want to help comfort humans. Our canine friends offer nonjudgmental companionship and can have a calming effect on our moods. They also make people feel less physically alone, especially those who live away from loved ones.
Therapy Dogs Keep Us In The Present
Therapy dogs can benefit mental health by keeping us in the present moment. Petting a dog can provide a mental distraction for those experiencing anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental illnesses. Temporary relief can be found by focusing on the physical sensations during the interaction.
Therapy Dogs Can Give Us A Positive Outlook
Positive thinking is a concept used in different methods of treating mental health conditions, and therapy dogs can play a role. Whether it's their cute demeanor or the way they show unconditional Love, therapy dogs increase feelings of happiness, provide social support and promote a sense of hope and trust, which can have long-term benefits on mental health.