By Gina Morton
RIVERSIDE — Six-year-old Bradley took the brush and began grooming the dark, soft hair of the large dog. His face lighted up with excitement, and he giggled with joy.
Molli, a 4-year-old Great Dane, is a therapy dog in Bradley’s elementary life-skills class and takes part in the children’s everyday activities, from reading to art to recess.
Melissa Shipman, life-skills/multi-disability support teacher at the Riverside Elementary School, said the Great Dane provides companionship to the five students in her class. The youngsters — Ruby, Hera and Malachi, all 7, Bradley and Baylee, 5 — are in kindergarten and first grade.
This is the first year Shipman brought Molli into her classroom. The dog visits three or four times a week.
“(The students) like to see her and greet her,” Shipman said. “Molli puts them on the bus at the end of the day and gets hugs goodbye.”
Molli loves people and often buries her nose into a person for cuddling. Ruby hugs Molli during an art project, and classmates Baylee and Hera smile at the sight of her coming near. She gets up close and works alongside students throughout the day.
Pet therapy is an opportunity for unconditional love, Shipman said. The dog’s visits also work as an incentive for students to get their work done so they can have special time with Molli.
“These guys make her a part of their family,” Shipman added. During story time, Molli will sit right in the middle of the blue mat with the group, and during crafts and regular assignments, she walks around and joins in on the activities.
The class also takes walks in the neighborhood, and during these trips, Molli joins the group. The students each get a chance to hold her leash, and it gives them a sense of being in charge of her, Shipman said.
“The kids are happy to know she’s here,” she said. The kids also are learning verbal skills, and by talking to Molli, they practice those skills.
Some of the children will call her by name, and others tell her to lie down. It’s an important expressive ability, the teacher said.
Principal John Bickhart said there are two therapy dogs at the primary levels, which include Riverside, Mahoning-Cooper and Danville Elementary.
“I believe therapy dogs are comforting to students and in many cases brighten up the day for them,” he said. “Many kids love animals, especially dogs, and to be able to see one at school makes them feel better and more acclimated.”
Molli passed a canine test, provided by a trainer in Turbotville, that required 10 steps be completed. Some of those qualifications include being good tempered, comfortable around other dogs and strangers and avoiding separation anxiety when apart from her owner. She also needs to sit and lay down on command.
Shipman said she was concerned how the children would react to a large dog in the beginning, but they were thrilled.
“They were so happy and shocked,” she remembered. “Their eyes were wide as pies.”
But it’s not just the life-skills class that enjoys Molli’s company. She visits the nurse’s office, the main office and students throughout the building in their classes and at recess time.
“All the kids see her, and their faces light up,” said Ann Bristow, an aide in Shipman’s class. “That’s therapy right there. Kids come to school to see her. That’s important.”
Shipman took the dog to each of the classes in the building to introduce them to Molli. Through the process, the students were taught they must ask permission before touching her, like they would with any other dog.
“It teaches the whole school safety of animals,” Shipman said. “They also learn how to care for animals and treat them with respect.”
