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Canine Companions visit West Elementary
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Neighbors | Submitted .Canine Companion trainers Lori Barrante (left) and Carolyn Hrach relaxed with their pups on Nov. 8 before a school assembly with West Boulevard students.
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Neighbors | Submitted .Canine Companion dogs explored and said hello to West Boulevard Elementary students during their visit to the school on Nov. 8.
By SARAH FOOR
Two friendly dogs visited West Boulevard Elementary with their handlers on Nov. 8 to teach the students about the importance of qualities like independence, respect and empathy.
The visit was part of a month-long district initiative called Boardman KARES designed to combat bullying.
“Throughout Boardman schools, we’re tackling bullying by championing the qualities in the acronym KARES — the letters stand for kindness, acceptance, respect, empathy, and safety,” explained Boardman elementary counselor Amanda Scrocco.
During the month of November, teachers and counselors explored Boardman KARES by reading books and creating art projects focusing on those positive qualities, as well as sending cards to local police and fire departments for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Two companion dogs-in-training visited West Boulevard on Nov. 8 to teach the students about how fully-trained pups can enhance the lives of people with disabilities.
Trainers Lori Barrante and Carolyn Hrach showed the students a video about a dog paired with a child in a wheelchair and independence that her new companion helped provide. Barrante and Hrach had their pups demonstrate different commands that they might use as hearing or seeing-eye dogs, facility dogs, skilled companions, or service dogs.
The trainers explained that no special certification is required to be a Canine Companion trainer.
“To be a trainer, you must love dogs, be able to pay for all of their expenses and be willing to give them up once they are trained to help others,” explained Barrante.