2021 Education magazine

Page 28 2021 Education Magazine LINCOLN DAILY NEWS February 18, 2021 Continued p therapy dog and approached her about coming to Chester-East. But covid was a little tricky. Casey’s veterinarian encouraged Hesse to hold off visiting the school until the cases in Logan County were down in count. The doctor was not as concerned about Casey getting sick, but concerns early in the pandemic were how the virus was transmitted. If one infected student would pet Casey, could Casey transfer the virus to another student? Aper asked Principal and Superintendent Laura Irwin about a therapy dog about three years ago but the timing for C-EL was not right. Aper said, “Mental health is such a need right now and if there is anything we can do to help our kids with mental health we are going to do it and we are going be creative. Casey is part of that creativity.” When the time was right C-EL was very welcoming. To start Hesse and Casey had a meet and greet in each classroom spending about 15 or 20 minutes in each room, explaining Casey’s training, describing her disposition, and telling the students what kinds of things Casey would be used for at school. The kids got to meet Casey, pet her and ask any questions they had. A big concern about having a dog in the school is safety and sanitation. Casey is never introduced to a child until the child is ready. She is taken out of the students reach when she is tired and has had enough social interaction for the day. Hesse is with her the entire time that she is in the school. Casey is nonjudgmental and very approachable. In just a few short weeks Hesse had success stories of Casey and the students interacting: