Dogs help out at school

By Denise Dick

denise_dick@vindy.com

Beloit

West Branch Middle School’s two newest additions won’t sit in desks, can’t read and don’t say much, but Penelope and Ellie are some of the school’s most popular attendees.

Penelope, a 9-year-old golden retriever, spends one day a week in Becky Thrasher’s multihandicapped classroom with her owner, Suzanne Biery, who is an aide in the classroom.

Ellie, a 11/2-year-old goldendoodle (also known as a goldenoodle), spends three days per week with her owner, Kelley Warga, school counselor.

Ellie greets students in the hallway between classes, helped with morning announcements last week and generally fills a goodwill ambassador role.

Last week, a student whose mother died last month came into Warga’s office and sat down on the floor. Ellie laid across her lap.

“I asked her if she wanted to talk,” Warga said. “She said, ‘No. I just want to sit here.’”

The girl petted the dog for a few minutes and then Warga asked again if the girl was ready to talk.

“She said, ‘No. I feel better now,’” the counselor said.

Eighth-grader Alexis Perkins, 14, stopped between classes to see Ellie, scratching her head. She likes school more with Ellie there.

“It’s more fun,” Alexis said.

Eighth-grader David Everet, 13, who is afraid of some larger dogs, has no problem with the poodle-golden retriever mix. He enjoys having her around.

Surrounded by a throng of students in the school hallway, Ellie laps up the attention.

“Cool dog, Mrs. Warga,” one student says. “I like it.”

“Ooh, look at the dog,” gushes another.

Both Ellie and Penelope are certified therapy dogs.

Penelope stays mostly in her classroom, offering comfort and companionship to the children in Thrasher’s class.

“They read to her,” Thrasher said.

The four students assigned chores — taking attendance, washing windows — take Penelope with them.

Other students also stop by to see the mellow dog.

Penelope goes from child to child in the room, visiting a few adults along the way.

“I think she was born for this,” Biery said as Penelope rolls onto her back, beckoning one of the students to rub her belly.

She also visits nursing homes, her owner said.

“It just takes the stress away,” Biery said. “It really does.”