PAT Dogs proposes partnership with school division

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This article was published 14/02/2025 (295 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

PAT Dogs, a Brandon-based therapy dog group, has proposed a partnership with the Brandon School Division (BSD) to incorporate therapy dog programming into local schools, highlighting the emotional and psychological benefits of such initiatives.

During a presentation to the BSD Board of Trustees on Monday, PAT Dogs members, including co-ordinator Ngaire Abernethy and handlers Emmy Elliott and Korinne Bullee, explained the “transformative” role therapy dogs can play in enhancing students’ well-being and academic success.

The role of therapy dogs in reducing stress and creating emotional security is enormous, Abernethy said.

Abernethy noted that PAT Dogs had been active in Brandon since 2020 and had grown from two dog teams to 40. She highlighted the group’s experience with Prairie Mountain Health and Project Resilience 911, where they regularly visit hospitals, first responders, and military personnel.

“Our goal is to provide a sense of calm, emotional regulation, and trust-building for students,” she said, adding that the group could also work with crisis response teams to offer targeted support when needed.

Bullee explained how therapy dogs can instinctively sense emotions and provide non-judgmental companionship, which is especially beneficial for students dealing with anxiety or other challenges.

“Dogs seem to find those who need support the most,” she said. “They are attuned to human emotions through cues such as facial expressions, body language and tone of voice.”

Elliott, a certified therapy dog handler, pointed to the group’s extensive work in the community, with members collectively conducting thousands of visits in recent years. She also mentioned that 20 of the group’s handlers work professionally with children daily.

The group outlined a potential framework for integrating therapy dogs into schools, emphasizing that implementation could be tailored to each school’s specific needs. They cited a neighbouring school division that has already implemented a similar program and observed improved student attendance on days when therapy dogs were present.

Abernethy said the group hoped BSD would consider ways to integrate therapy dogs into school programming. “We’d like to become your partners,” she said, inviting trustees to explore potential collaborations.

The proposal was well received by the board.

Chair Linda Ross expressed gratitude for the presentation and the presence of the therapy dogs at the meeting.

“Thank you so much for sharing your dogs with us this evening,” Ross said.

While no immediate decision was made by the board, the coordinator said, the team remains optimistic about future collaboration with BSD to bring their services to students and staff across the division.

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