Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1130365
raises levels of oxytocin and dopamine ("happy" hormones). "When I'm stressed, it's relaxing to be with Levi because I can feel him telling me 'You can do it,'" says sixth-grader Mia Udwary. "If dogs were in every classroom, it would help lower stress levels and make kids feel happier." L e v i i s n o t th e o n ly sp e c i a l p u p i n D av i s Jo i n t Un i f i e d S c h o o l D i s t r i c t . P a m S n i p e s , a s p e c i a l e d u c a t i o n t e a c h e r a t O l i v e r We n d e l l H o l m e s Middle School , has two canines of her own , b oxer Z ippi d eedo o d ah (Z ip, for s h o r t ) a n d c o c k a p o o Mi c k Wa g g e r. The 35-year teacher and DTA member hadn't brought th erapy dogs into th e cl a ssro om b efore c omin g to D av i s in 2012 to work with students who are emotionally dis- turbed. Snipes says her dynamic duo have a special relationship with her students. "It's amazing to me how comforting they are," Snipes says. "Zip and Mickey seem to be the bridge between 'I'm not talking to you' and 'OK, I'm ready to talk now.'" Zip has a special knack for comforting students and easing stressful situations, and he loves running out some energy at lunchtime with one of Snipes' stu- dents who has severe ADHD. The licensed therapy dog was named Student of the Month last year for his Joy in the Classroom S A N B E R N A R D I N O educator Fiorela Piedra had tried many strategies to help her students with social-emotional problems: mindfulness lessons, behavior charts, Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports — you name it. Nothing seemed to help, until a three-legged dog named Joy came into her life and became an important part of her classroom. Joy's journey from death's door to therapy dog is its own story. Piedra, a member of the San Bernardino Teachers Association, works with a local rescue group called Cause for San Bernardino Paws. She agreed to foster Joy, whose sunny disposition only 24 hours after losing a leg in a car accident caused a change from her previous moniker, Sassy. After fostering the chocolate Labrador/pit bull/golden retriever mix for a month, Piedra gave Joy a forever home. Joy became a part of Piedra's classroom community a few weeks before her certification as a therapy dog. Piedra's students were having trouble with peer relationships, and Joy's arrival immediately brought a different energy to the classroom. "Joy walked around the class to meet each student, stop- ping by some students' desks a little longer than others," Piedra says. "What was interesting was the ones she stayed longer at were kids who needed the extra attention." Piedra says every student read to Joy that day, bringing a much-needed calming energy to the classroom. Joy now visits Piedra's class a few days a week. "I have to say that her presence has improved my class's behavior," she says. "My discipline issues in the class are usually nonexistent when Joy is here and about half what they used to be when she is not." " The way Dorothy looks at students makes them feel seen, wanted and loved, which is what you want for all students." — Cori Schneider, Davis Teachers Association 36 cta.org feature