ELYRIA, Ohio — A one-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog is helping students feel calmer at an Elyria elementary school.
- Helps with stress
- Improves attendance
- May improve testing scores
Griffen the therapy dog and his owner and handler Jennifer Martinez roam the halls once a week on random days at Crestwood Elementary School.
“Griffen is a one-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog who has had extensive training to be able to come into the school to be a comfort dog for both the staff and the students,” said Martinez, who is also a Crestwood Elementary School teacher.
Since Griffen only shows up randomly at school, students do not want to miss seeing him, so now they are eager to attend class more and spend time with the big dog.
“I like him as a brother. He’s nice and fun and very loving, he makes my heart sing,” said Troy Davis, a student at Crestwood Elementary School.
“He makes me happy and stuff because I get to read to him every day and he always sometimes sits with me and sometimes when he’s not at school, sometimes I miss him,” said Hunter Barker, a student at Crestwood Elementary School.
Griffen is not only popular with the students, but parents love him too.
They even have little miniatures for students to hold when Griffen is absent.
One parent even painted a portrait of the lovable dog.
“I just ended up painting a picture and donated it to the school as kind of a thank you for the teachers and all they do for us,” said Jodi Juhasz, a parent and painter.
Teachers also enjoy Griffen’s presence once he enters the classroom.
“So, when Griffen comes into our room the whole room lights up, teachers and students alike, he brings joy to us but he also brings a calming aspect to us,” said Debbie Betts, a teacher at Crestwood Elementary School
Martinez applied and won a grant to develop Griffen. Plus, he has a trainer.
She believes the dog’s presence can help students achieve better test scores.
“Griffen is just a warm body that provides lots of love without any form of judgement, just like he’s doing now, comes up and put his head out on the kids’ shoulders or their hands, their legs, and leans into them and provide extra support that sometimes kids need that aren’t able to communicate to adults,” said Martinez.