Crete-Monee School District Therapy Dog Program
HEALING PAWS PROJECT
The District is pleased to announce the Healing Paws Project, our new district-wide therapy dog program created to provide therapeutic services to students, staff, and community members.
Two of our dogs, Biscuit and Ellie, were donated by the Brevard County Sherriff’s Office and the Paws and Stripes College in Brevard County, Florida.
The District recognizes that now, more than ever, there is a need for awareness about mental and emotional health. More workplaces are allowing for therapy animals and office pets because they improve morale as well as a host of other benefits such as:
- Reduce anxiety levels and assist students to decompress after traumatic circumstances.
- Decrease the emotional trauma of a critical incident/event for students, teachers, and staff.
- Increase student empathy/compassion
- Decrease retaliatory violence.
- Improve self-esteem and help students stay connected to social networks.
- Provide opportunities to develop positive relationships.
Program Objectives:
- The therapy dogs shall serve as a therapeutic resource to staff, students, and the community of CM201-U.
- The therapy dog will assist in developing and enhancing relationships.
- The program will serve to support social and emotional learning.
- The therapy dog committee will ensure that the services of the therapy dog program remains professional, ethical, and beneficial, and continues to align with the vision and mission of CM 201-U.