The story
School District 43 is going to the dogs - and students and teachers are loving it.
In September 2013, Como Lake middle school students welcomed back Orion, a four-year-old yellow lab, along with their teacher and the dog's handler, Lindsay Hill.
Orion has been trained by the Pacific Assistance Dog Society to be a warm and loving presence in the classroom, and this was the pooch's second year in the Grade 6/7 classroom. Through a partnership between School District 43 and PADS, Hill was trained to be handler and started bringing Orion school to help students learn social and emotional learning.
Hill said research has found that specially trained dogs such as Orion can teach students to regulate their behaviour because the canine has to work to control its behaviour in the classroom. Through specially designed lessons incorporating Orion, students were taught about self-regulation, compassion, tolerance and pet care.
Hill also found that Orion is a special help to students who are struggling with emotions or who are having a bad day.
"I just can't believe how many times I've witnessed this: If he can, he will literally climb into their lap and cuddle up, even with a student who is really agitated. He will get closer and closer until he gets them to let go of their anger."
The latest
The Tri-City News' article on Orion attracted inquiries from educators across North America and Hill was interviewed about Orion on both radio and television.
Another PADS-trained dog, Smokey, was introduced to CABE (Coquitlam Alternative Basic Education) school in September and teacher and handler Leah Pells says he has been a hit with students.
