- Barnegat Twp School District
- Therapy Dog Program
About Our Therapy Dog Program
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Studies show therapy dogs have a positive effect on student academic and social growth. A 2019 study published by the National Institute of Health found that a dog present in the classroom promotes positive mood and provides significant anti-stress effects on the body. Therapy dogs also allow students to feel comfortable opening up to counselors regarding their feelings and/or situation.
Our Therapy Dog program, which started at the Lillian M. Dunfee Elementary School in 2016 with Tink ( a shih tzu) followed by her sister, Winnie ( a shih tzu, maltese mix) has been making a positive impact on staff and students’ morale and mental well-being since that time.
2020 was a difficult year with many daily challenges imposed by the global pandemic and both students and staff were affected. When we were able, we brought Winnie back, (as Tink, who was 14 years old, retired) into the schools for everyone. Students and staff lit up when Winnie came into their building, including the Board Office. Winnie’s soothing, fun-loving, and charismatic nature has had a positive effect on our school environments. “Winnie Wednesdays” have been going strong in our School District since September. Everyone loves her visits, but she cannot provide support for all schools, so she enlisted some help from her “four - legged friends in the community.”
As our Community Connections have grown, so have our Therapy Dog Connections. Six members of our community have offered their services, along with their owners, to provide support in some of our schools. They are Coconut, Kiwi, Mac, Leisel, and Clementine and Lemon.
Coconut is a labrador retriever who provides comfort and support to students at Donahue, Horbelt, and joins Kiwi to provide support to our high school kids. While Coconut was caring for her puppies, her sisters Clementine and Lemon took over her duties with all their cuteness and visited the schools. Who doesn’t love a puppy?!
Mac provides smiles in the Dunfee School.
Leisel works very closely with our Middle School kids at Brackman as well as the PAWS Program.
I am very proud of the progress we have made with this program and work to fine tune the program each year.
I would love to have you see the students interact with the dogs as that is the best way to see how this program works.
Meet Our Therapy Dogs
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Mac
Mac, an 11 year old Cocker-Spaniel, Poodle Mix is providing our PreK staff and students at the Dunfee School with some hugs and emotional support. Mac and owner Michelle McManus are not new to providing much needed therapy, although their audience has changed. Mac used to provide emotional support to people in nursing homes. Her owner, Michelle, volunteers with Mac at our Dunfee preK.
Mac loves to be around the kids and enjoys their pets and kisses!
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Winnie
Winnie, a 4-year-old Maltese Bichon mix with her owner, Joanne Fedorcyzk, volunteer their time at the Collins School. They are very dedicated to providing this much needed emotional support to staff and students. Joanne is not new to the Therapy Dog Program as she and Tink (retired) started this program at the Dunfee School in 2016.
Winnie and Joanne visit classes at Collins. We refer to it as “Wacky Winnie Wednesdays.”
Winnie loves to do tricks for the kids as well as give them hugs and licks!
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Coconut
Coconut, a 2 and ½ year old Labrador Retriever with her owner, Dallas Salvanto, volunteer their time at Donahue, Horbelt, and most recently the High School as well. They are very dedicated to providing this much needed emotional support to staff and students. Dallas has worked with breeding, raising, and training dogs her entire life and her passion is to bring a sense of calm and peace to students and staff.
When Coconut and Dallas visit classes at Donahue, we refer to it as “Tropical Tuesdays with Coconut.”
Coconut and Dallas also provide support on Wednesdays at Horbelt. Coconut visits specific students that need emotional support in the counseling office as well as a few classes.
Coconut and Dallas also provide support at the High School on Fridays. She provides emotional support to all who need her there in the counseling office and specific classrooms.
Coconut loves to snuggle and enjoys her time with the kids!
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Leisel
Leisel, a 1 year and 5 mo.year old German Shepard, and her owner, Rob Schrader are part of our Therapy Dog Program at our Brackman Middle School. Rob is retired and likes to give back to his community through helping provide emotional support to our students. Leisel helps our students feel a sense of calm and peace. Leisel loves to be around teens and share her bubbly personality with everyone!
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Kiwi
Kiwi, a 1 year old Labrador Retriever with her owner, Dallas Salvanto, have started volunteering their time at the High School on Fridays. She provides emotional support to all who need her there in the counseling office and visits specific classrooms for Mental Health Lessons.
Dallas has worked with breeding, raising, and training dogs her entire life and her passion is to bring a sense of calm and peace to students and staff.
Kiwi loves to spread smiles at the High School!
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Clementine and Lemon
Clementine and Lemon are 8-month old Labrador Retrievers that helped when Coconut was on Maternity Leave. They are just starting their training as Therapy Dogs, but I think they were born to do this work. The smiles and love at seeing these pups is endless! Owner Dallas Salvanto has worked with breeding, raising, and training dogs her entire life and her passion is to bring a sense of calm and peace to students and staff.
