Therapy dog becomes part of West Fork staff

The West Fork School in Rockwell has welcomed a new member to its staff.

This staff member has four legs.

Maev, a Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever/Poodle) is a therapy dog under the care of Special Education Instructor Lindsay Barnhart.

“Maev is seven months old and is still growing,” Barnhart said. “She’s an intelligent dog, good natured and hypoallergenic.“

Barnhart teaches special education kids in grades 4-8 at West Fork.

She learned of the therapy dog program through her mother, Holly Barnhart. “She’s a teacher at Iowa Falls and also has a therapy dog, Stella. Before getting Maev, Stella came to West Fork with me for a day. I saw the positive impacts she had with students and staff right away.”

Therapy dogs are trained by inmates through the Iowa Medical Classification Center (IMCC) at the Coralville Correctional Facility.

The program, which has been in existence since 2017, is extremely beneficial for the inmates and the dogs.

“Through experiencing it first hand, I can see how much the dogs are loved. They respect their trainers and become very obedient.” Barnhart said.

She found out on Jan. 1 that her request to acquire a therapy dog had been approved.

“Maev spent two days at our school that week, and was here again at the start of lasst week. I have taken her around to the various classrooms and explained to the kids what she will be able to do,” Barnhart said.

“Maev will be with us for two weeks, and then return to her training facility for more instruction.

“Maev has learned that when her vest is on that she is working. She is still a puppy, however, and can also be very playful,” she added.

The therapy dog program continues to gain in popularity in schools throughout the state.

“According to an article on theconversation.com, the role of therapy dogs is to react and respond to people and their environment under the guidance and direction of their owner. For example, an individual might be encouraged to gently pat or talk to a dog to teach sensitive touch and help them be calm,” Barnhart said.

Among the benefits to students of therapy dogs in schools are:

• Increase in school attendance

• Gain confidence

• Improve motivation

• Enhance relationships with peers and teachers

• Help students learn how to appropriately express their feelings