Each month, Circleville Elementary School students in four classrooms have some special visitors: Mocha and Jack, certified therapy dogs, along with their humans, Samantha and Wendy.

 

In February, Mocha and Jack visited Jamie Bennett and Beverlyann Feuerstack’s first grade classrooms as well as Lisa Quick and Kaylin Bourke’s in fourth grade.

The students in each classroom took turns reading to the pups, while others were petting and hugging them. These dogs are made for this! They are patient and sweet, and love having the students pay attention to them.

 

 

Reading books to therapy dogs is a wonderful practice for readers. It helps students as they read aloud and it’s also great stress relief. The students just love the mellow nature of the dogs, putting them at ease. After reading their stories, the students sat and pet Mocha and Jack, some talking about their own pets! They also got baseball-style cards with pictures and information about the two pups.

 

Jack and Mocha visit colleges, hospitals and nursing homes, spreading their calm to everyone in which they come in contact!