East Central Therapy Dogs

The trouble with Dakota

Posted by Anne Corke on 2008-03-04. Filed under Monthly Feature

NEDERLAND - There's a new dog in the doghouse - literally.

As part of a new program designed to better reach at-risk students, the Nederland ISD Alternative Campus has a new student who has become more of a teacher. Prince Dakota of Sheila Court, known as Dakota by his friends, has joined the team as part of the new pet therapy program.

"The superintendent had talked to all the principals in the district and asked us to think outside the box on things we can do for each campus," explained Principal Karen Bussell. "We came up with the idea of pet therapy. We weren't aware of any local pet therapy programs."

Prince Dakota, purchased by Bussell, came on board after faculty did extensive research into the different personalities of dogs. And what they came up with, Bussell said, was out of the ordinary. We could've gotten a dog that is calm, structured and disciplined, like a Lab that is often used in pet therapy," she said. "But we decided to go with a dog that was more similar to some of our students - hyper, mischievous and hardheaded." The black and tan Airedale terrier was in need of training, discipline and care - all part of the educational program already in place at the alternative school.

The campus gets students in the fifth through 12th grades, generally referred for misconduct or related issues after going through other programs, including in-school suspension. Most students are there for 14 days, according to school officials.

"The students are a big part in his training," said teacher Ashley Massey. "They learn how to treat animals, and we hope, in turn, that will become (the way they treat) people. If he (the dog) passes his next test, we relate that to hard work and determination. If he doesn't, the students know it's because of distractions and that he will work until he succeeds."

Students are assigned activities throughout the day, called Dakota Duties, and are in charge of the animal's care, food, walks and training. Some of them are making a lifelong friend.

"I was one of his handlers," said Brittany Burke, a ninth-grade student. "I still go by and visit when I can. It's so much more fun and it really keeps you occupied. Teaching him obedience had a positive effect on us."

Psychiatrists and therapists have seen canine-assisted therapy work in cases of students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Dogs also have proved helpful in reducing anxiety and improving mood and behavior with children, according to studies in the American Psychiatric Association's Psychiatric News and by the Center for Brief Therapy in Indiana.

The Nederland alternative center staff has designed a Web site to bring Dakota's lessons to parents and allow some students to bring their troubles to him. The Dakota link features photos, class links and Dakota's diary.

"Students are allowed to e-mail Dakota at any time," explained Bussell, "and we have our certified counselor write back on his behalf." The option, she added, is popular for students who need a friend.

"This is one of the greatest things we've seen," Massey said. "You can literally see the aggression in some of these kids start to subside and they begin to calm down. The next thing you know they are laughing and you can literally see the child that's buried so deeply in them start to surface. That alone has made this program worth having."

Monique Batson
Beaumont Enterprise, February 19, 2008