Kaz goes to school
District therapy dog helps students
“Oh my gosh, he’s so cute! I just want to
squeeze him!”
“Wow, he has curly hair just like me!”
“Can I pet him? Please, please, please
can I pet him?”
These eager questions and more
come from Pre-K students at Windsor Park
Elementary on Feb. 7 when district therapy
dog Kaz came to visit their classrooms. Kaz, a
65-pound ShepaDoodle, a German Shepherd
and poodle mix. He visits schools two or
three times a week with owner and trainer
Deb Kaclik, who is also the director of social
emotional learning and behavior support.
“Dogs are nonjudgmental and their love
is unconditional,” said Kaclik. “Students
benefit from his visits in many ways. Kaz
could be comforting, something to cuddle,
pet or talk to. Students may enjoy reading to
them, socializing, walking with them or just
sitting. There is extensive research on the benefits of pet therapy.”
Kaz has been certified by Therapy Pets Unlimited. The organization works
with dog trainers and handlers to certify dogs. The organization requires a
temperament evaluation, a background check for the owner, an orientation
and quiz and healthy certificate. In turn, Therapy Pets United provides
liability insurances and structured protocols for the dog and owner.
The process takes about six months. Kaclik and Kaz took hours of
intensive classes together. Kaz had to become comfortable with different
people, places and things. He had to stay in a hotel, go to a restaurant,
park, school, hospital office and stores. “A therapy pet doesn’t need to be
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perfect as far as obedience is concerned,”
said Kaclik. “But they do need a solid, friendly
temperament and an ability to shine in
various situations.”
It was Kaz’s first visit to Windsor Park.
The principal Dr. Lauren Finley requested
the visit. She’s worked with therapy dogs at
previous schools and has seen the benefits,
including a calming effect on students. “I
have many high-needs students who could
benefit from pet therapy,” she said. “We
can bring him back for specific students
as a reward. I would also like to have an
opportunity for students to read to Kaz.”
Kaclik and Finley took him to each Pre-K
classroom where he met the students and
let them get comfortable with him. Students
took turns petting him while Kaclik explained
dog safety rules to them.
Teacher Robin Lindsey said Kaz’s visits
will add to her students’ learning. “We’ve been learning about veterinarians
and pets and having empathy and caring for others,” she said. “Kaz will just
help us reinforce all those lessons. And of course the smile and joy he brings
are great too.”
Kaz will visit Windsor Park students each month. They’re already looking
forward to it. As Kaclik and Kaz completed their rounds, students from
Lindsey’s classroom came running into the hallways. They’d already made
thank you cards for Kaz, one depicting his birthday. “Can you come back
tomorrow?” asked one student.
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Parent Teacher Magazine • March/April 2018 • 7