TAKE A LOOK AT HOW SCHOOLS ARE INTRODUCING THEIR NEW CAMPUS PALS!
PARENT LETTER
Dear Parents,
We invite you to join us in formally welcoming the Bella’s Buddies K9U program to the [School] campus. Bella’s Buddies is based in Buffalo, where they raise and train service and therapy dogs for veterans and schools. They will be visiting students weekly to help in different areas of our academic day. This school year we are excited to embark on a journey of our own with Bella’s Buddies in which our own Bella’s Buddies Facility Dog will be on campus everyday. K9U is the unique name given to service and therapy dogs who are trained to work on school campuses. Please read the FAQs below for more information.
FAQ
Who are the therapy dogs at [School]?
The canine companions from Bella’s Buddies have achieved their therapy or service dog certifications through a partnership between Bella’s Buddies, Buffalo ISD Centerville ISD. They are owned by Golden Rule Retrievers in Buffalo, TX, where they started their long journey as small puppies. The dogs receive many hours of training to prepare them for classrooms and hallways. Upon graduation from the program, members of the DogSquad are donated to other schools or the Texas State Veterans Homes. The dog on our campus has worked for many hours to help students and staff at [School].
What does a K9U dog do at school?
The therapy and service dogs in training can be assigned many jobs at [School]. Academically, an AAT dog can lend an ear when a struggling reader wants to share a book. They can play math games, too! Emotionally, therapy dogs can help students who are struggling with loss or grief, low self-esteem, bullying, or stress and anxiety. Students can always ask to speak to a K9U friend when they are having a bad day. The DogSquad listens without judging, offering no how-to advice or criticism. Often, they provide a path for students to practice difficult conversations. When petting a therapy dog, research has proven that the human brain releases oxytocin, effectively reducing stress and anxiety. Standardized testing can be scary, but the DogSquad knows how to give high fives! Students who struggle with behavior issues find that spending time with an AAT is motivation to consciously work on being positive contributors to their school community. Students who live with ADHD report that when they spend time with Animal Assisted Therapy dogs, they see the dogs as good citizens and they use them as role models. The DogSquad has experience in helping students reach goals related to emotional regulation, friendship, conflict resolution, and attention issues.
I’m worried about allergies. Is that being considered?
School staff coordinates with our school nurse so that we are aware of students who may have allergy issues. Before the DogSquad comes to school, their handlers make sure they are cleaned and brushed. Students are asked to wash their hands before and after having contact with an AAT dog. It is likely that more animal allergens come into our classrooms on the clothes and backpacks of our students than on the therapy dogs. Please contact the school nurse if you would like to waive contact between your child and the DogSquad. Your child is important! We will take proper precautions to avoid any negative reactions.
What is the training of the Animal Assisted Therapy Dogs and Service Dogs in training?
Since birth, each member of the DogSquad has learned basic obedience skills. They are bottle fed at least once daily as a means of creating a need to be with humans. As they grow, they spend time in classrooms at all grade levels. They also have legal access to hospitals, nursing homes and many public places. The K9U dogs have worked with Child Protective Services, in courtrooms and Ronald McDonald Houses, and with active duty service members and their families. It is our goal to have a symbiotic relationship with the dogs, providing them with polished training skills as they grow to their potential so they can be donated to other elementary schools to help in the same way.
I have a very good dog who is a loving helper. Can I bring him or her to school?
Dogs owned by students, teachers or community members are not allowed on the —-------- School campus.The K9U program is insured and bonded. Our facility dog is provided through our K9U program. These dogs are born from proven service and therapy dogs and each day after birth, they learn to adjust to stressful situations, loud noises, and many different people and situations. While the K9U dogs acquire basic obedience, the program is designed to go above and beyond typical commands. Some K9U dogs alert to diabetes, others help special needs students with mobility issues, and still others alert to PTSD. The college level education - we call it a DOGtorate), that is invested in Bella’s Buddies comes from research-based practices. We have sought special permission to have the DogSquad on campus.
Who’s paying?
Bella’s Buddies is a charitable organization that depends solely on donations from individuals, businesses and organizations who care about their schools and mental health. The school owes Bella’s Buddies nothing. It is our intention that having the dogs in the classrooms at [School] will reduce discipline referrals, increase attendance, improve test scores and draw students who tend to isolate themselves into extracurricular activities. Students report that they are more respectful of the dogs than they are of their peers or teachers. They stop to look, before they raise their voices, to see if a dog is in the room. Working with the DogSquad teaches conflict resolution skills, empathy, and the process of creating and engaging in constructive dialogue as well as difficult conversations. We may do a fundraiser later in the year to help another school get their own facility dog. If you would like to help our program now, you can make a donation to Bella’s Buddies (www.bellasbuddiesinc.org). Our campus dog is donated by Bella’s Buddies, a 501C-3 charitable organization and we want to support them as they help other schools to get dogs, too. They are only able to train and place dogs with schools through donations. Our school dog has been funded by the school who received a dog before us. We are setting a fundraising goal of $25,000 so that we can help the next school to get their facility dog. You can also send puppy treats, a blanket or toy to the K9U dogs here at school.
THIS FORM MUST BE RETURNED BEFORE YOUR STUDENT CAN HAVE CONTACT WITH THE K9U DOGSQUAD
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STUDENT __________________________________________GRADE ____________
🔲 I choose to opt out of the K9U program for my student due to allergies
🔲 I choose to opt out of the K9U program for another reason.
🔲 The K9U program has my permission to use photos and/or videos of my student on social media, television and in printed media.
PARENT SIGNATURE ___________________________________________________