ROCKFORD, Mich. — The Center for Disease Control says approximately 4.5 million American children have been diagnosed anxiety and a million more are depressed. North Rockford Middle School is trying to combat these statistics by bringing in a full-time counseling assistance dog.
North Rockford Middle School’s research shows that anxiety levels are up among their student body of nearly 1,000 students.
“Their SATs, their PSATs, their MSTEPs—everything our students have to deal with in regards to higher education in regards to high expectations, it does cause increased anxiety,” said Principal Lissa Weidenfeller.
School officials are confident that bringing in Chillie, a three-year-old female, yellow lab, will help students and school employees decompress.
“Dogs make people happier to be around them,” said Angie Ohlman, the school’s counselor.
Chillie is a trained service dog and comes to the school from Interquest Detection Canines, having served as a Paws for Cause dog. She has already been training for eight to 10 weeks for her new job at North Rockford Middle School.
Weidenfeller said bringing Chillie in was a community effort between the Rockford Education Foundation, Interquest Canines, Rockford Public Schools and local businesses, Rogue Valley Veterinary Hospital and Chow Hound.
“Rogue Valley Veterinary Hospital is covering all of the maintenance costs for the dog...Chow Hound is providing food for one year, in addition to monthly baths,” she said.
These donations come in addition to the $5,000 grant given to the school by Rockford Education Foundation, who Weidenfeller said, made the program possible.
Weidenfeller said the theme of the counseling is, “Chillin’ with Chillie.” Ohlman added that students and school employees will have an opportunity to spend time with the dog throughout the day.
“Chillie will be available before and after school. During lunch students will be able to come down and spend time with her. Students will be able to sign up to read with Chillie,” she said.
Ohlman will also be visiting classrooms with Chillie, and students can sign up for private counseling sessions.
There will also be dog-free zones, such as the cafeteria, for students who have allergies.
Weidenfeller said her team will be collecting data on how Chillie impacts the school and has a goal of spreading the program to other Rockford Schools.
“This program is near and dear to my heart, because I'm so excited to see how our students and staff are going to react,” she said.
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