Cute dogs help New York students build their self-confidence
A new breed of teachers is helping Big Apple kids learn that everything can be planted.
The Department of Education’s ‘Comfort Dog Programme’ has been rolled out to around 50 schools across the five boroughs – and young pupils are reaping the benefits of boosted confidence and better grades.
The adorable initiative, which places trained therapy dogs in classrooms, started as a pilot program in just seven schools in 2016 and is now helping hundreds of students tackle life in the classroom – and beyond.
The program is led by Kirsten Kinsella, a dog trainer and DOE educator since 2007, who explained that it provides targeted, customized lesson plans, spread over approximately six weeks, to help struggling children cope with their studies and emotions.
But to really see the “magic,” Kinsella invited The Post into a classroom at PS 70 in the Bronx to witness it.
Fifth-grade students at PS 70 in the Bronx welcomed The Post into one of their classes to see how “Chip,” a Shih Tzu cross poodle, has helped them over the years. James Keivom
A group of five Bronx students quietly shuffled into their classroom and took their seats – the toll of the school day written on their faces.
But when Kinsella brought in “Chip,” a Shih Tzu cross poodle, the sunken faces quickly turned into smiles.
“Who’s nervous? Chip is nervous too. Watch him shake it off, let’s shake it off with him,” Kinsella said.
The results were immediate, as the students imitated Chip and started shaking before bursting into laughter.
Kinsella said shifting the students’ attention to Chip is the first step.
Kinsella said working with Chip allows students to connect with their emotions because “he can pick up on how they’re feeling.” James Keivom
“It really allows the child to open up, be motivated and takes away the fear and anxiety they have when working with groups of children or with an adult,” she explained.
Then a guided trick.
“Chip, roll over, roll over,” said 10-year-old Augustina as she gently helped the dog.
Chip struggled at first, but quickly became a natural.
“If Chip can make mistakes and do better next time, I know I can do it too,” Augustina, now beaming with confidence, told the group.
Kinsella said working with Chip allows students to connect with their emotions because “he can pick up on how they’re feeling.”
Chip then started a group discussion – using two colored dice with questions on each side.
“How did Chip help you?” Kinsella asked, reading from the die thrown by Chip’s snout.
“When I get to school I’m sometimes very tired, but spending time with Chip helps me stay motivated all week,” Liam (10) responded.
Then the lights were turned off and the kids were asked to breathe deeply and follow their furry friend through a yoga session, giving downward dog a whole new meaning. James Keivom
For students with less self-confidence, Chip can also help process feelings of inadequacy or shame.
“So instead of the kid being nervous, Chip is nervous. Or if the child does not recognize a letter or mathematical solution, Chip does not recognize it either. Then the kids help him figure it out,” Kinsella said.
Chip is one of dozens of dogs rotated through the Comfort Dog program, which costs participating schools $1,000 a year from their school budgets.
It also belongs to Kinsella, who has volunteered four of her other furry family members to the cause.
To participate, handlers, usually educators, must put their dogs through six-hour training sessions organized by the Good Dog Foundation.
The dogs must also prove that they are obedient, non-aggressive and impervious to school-specific distractions such as a PA system, bell or fire alarm.
Kinsella said it is “hard work” for the dogs, so classes are limited to 180 minutes per day.
Chip is one of several dogs specially trained to work with children across the five boroughs and is only allowed to work an hour and 48 minutes a week. James Keivom
Yoga and breathing techniques are also part of Chip’s repertoire.
“I remember when I was in fourth grade, I cried on one test, but being with Chip made me feel confident, happy and calm,” Ben, 10, explained after a deep breathing exercise.
In September, a disturbing citywide student survey – which surveyed 355,105 primary and secondary school children – found that 51% said bullying, bullying and harassment by classmates were common.
A young PS70 student, Aurora, bravely confided that she was a victim of bullying and that it made her ‘angry and sad’.
The 8-year-old said she had a class designed specifically for her to learn how to “self-regulate” her thoughts, emotions and impulses.
The Comfort Dog program can also be adapted to help with math and reading skills.
Instead of questions that evoke an emotional response, math and reading questions can be stuck on the die, Kinsella said.
Data collected by the DOE on the program’s success is not publicly available, according to an agency spokesperson, who said it is used for “internal tracking.”
But as long as the program exists, city kids who enter this dog-eat-dog world say they are “confident” they will have the tools to survive it.