Students at Oldfield Middle School were a slobbery kiss away from a good day on Nov. 17 as Fenway, a two-year-old Golden Retriever, yellow Labrador mix, made her way around backpacks and desks to sit on students’ laps. Students were greeted with a tail wag and in return left with a positive attitude.
This unprecedented school year has brought many changes to the Harborfields School District, and with it, added stress. To help alleviate those anxieties, Teaching Assistant Sarah Zagaja has brought her certified therapy dog to the school on several occasions to meet some of the students.
In fact, Fenway was due to be trained as a PTSD dog with America’s VetDogs; however, after realizing that she was frightened of loud noises, Ms. Zagaja spent three months training her in accordance with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Ms. Zagaja described Fenway as “gentle” and “sensitive,” noting that she has the unique ability to recognize when a person is anxious or stressed and connects with them on a personal level—all qualities that make her the perfect therapy dog.