Therapy dogs teach children to cope
SLIPPERY ROCK — The Slippery Rock Community Library welcomed students from Slippery Rock University's Master of Social Work program and a few furry friends on Monday night.
Three therapy dogs and their handlers from the Alliance of Therapy Dogs teamed up with the students to teach community children how to cope with difficult situations like loss, divorce and crisis.
The 'Furry Friends' event was organized by the master's students as part of a final project for their degree. Dr. Yvonne Eaton-Stull, the master's program director, said the project serves as workforce preparation for her students.“There's lots of research on the benefits of dog-assisted therapy,” Eaton-Stull said. “It decreases anxiety, helps speed recovery for heart patients, and they assist in crisis recovery.”
Children in attendance would visit each dog's station, interacting with them while the master's students read a story aloud. Students would then lead the kids in activities such as breathing exercises with bubbles, drawing or guided conversation, always relating it back to the docile dogs Murphy, Parker and Feonna.Social work student Victoria Spreng and her group presented a book pertaining to the loss of a pet and led conversation about how dogs and humans both feel and experience loss.“We're teaching them appropriate coping mechanisms,” Spreng said.
Lisa Patterson, second grade teacher and owner of therapy dog Parker, said she and her dog have visited many libraries as part of the Alliance. According to Patterson, Parker's presence helps with reading, attendance and even behavior modification in her classroom.“They don't want to miss Parker,” Patterson said. “When kids with difficult behaviors have a good day, they get to read to him.”Tiffany Frampton, interim library director, said they've held multiple events with the master's program and therapy dogs, enjoying it every time. She plans to hold more events involving the Alliance this spring.
“We're going to have a 'Canine Club' weekly,” Frampton said. “Dogs will be here and do the same thing they're doing (today.)”Frampton said she hopes this event and the Canine Club will help get people back into the routine of coming to the library after the COVID-19 shutdown.“I think there's still fear there because of COVID,” Frampton said. “Before I would have 15 kids and their families coming to (events,) now, I'll only have five.”Both Eaton-Stull and Frampton were pleased with the event overall, and as happy as the children in attendance to pet and play with the furry guests.“The dogs have such calming effect,” Frampton said. “It's my favorite event.”
