43
Asher is best friend, therapist 'fur' kids
By Denise Dick
NORTH JACKSON
The most popular member of the Jackson-Milton Elementary School community didn’t get that way by being good in sports or even because of good grades.
His blond hair and soft brown eyes are pretty, but it’s not his looks, either.
Asher, a 1-year-old goldendoodle, owes his popularity to the way he makes people feel.
“He’s awesome,” said Alex Rotuna, 8, a third-grader. “We play with him at recess. There’s a ball, and he goes and catches it.”
Asher, a certified therapy dog, is guidance counselor Christine Ginnis’s pet. She introduced him to the student body last spring and began bringing him to school three days a week this year.
The dog offers comfort to children who may be going through something difficult at home and provides calm to those with behavioral issues. Petting the dog soothes the child. Sometimes, Asher just lies on the floor at their feet. Other times, he’s more proactive.
“If a child is crying, Asher licks their face or he nudges with his head,” Ginnis said.
But Asher isn’t just reserved for students with difficulties. He goes out for recess, and students take turns eating lunch with the dog.
Alex and fellow third-graders Briley Chance and Alena Len, both 8, took their turn at lunch with Asher last week.
“His favorite food is cheese,” Alex said.
The three took turns giving Asher his favorite treat and tossing a ball in the air and watching him tap it with his nose.
Most of the one-on-one or small-group work with the dog happens in Ginnis’s office, which bears paw-print decals and dog quotes on the walls. Asher’s bed sits in a corner.
Principal Kim Fisk believes having the dog at school is good for the students.
“I think it’s going well for the kids,” she said.
If Asher isn’t at school on one of his regular days, the children notice.
“The kids miss him the days that he’s not here,” Fisk said. “They seek out Asher and want to see him.”
Students in the school’s unit for students with multiple disabilities get assigned jobs dealing with the four-legged staff member, filling his food and water dishes. Asher drinks strictly bottled water — nothing from the tap.
Asher is an enthusiastic worker, Ginnis said.
“He waits by the door in the morning to go to school,” she said.
As the two travel each morning, Asher starts to bark when they get close.
Each day begins with exercise on the second floor, trying to work off some of the energy from the 40-minute car ride. His day begins as children arrive.
“He greets the students as they get off the buses,” Ginnis said.
At the end of the day, he sees them off.
Students aren’t the only ones who enjoy the furry companion.
“The cafeteria workers give him string cheese,” Ginnis said. “He gets one in the morning and one in the afternoon.”
Several teachers also keep treats in their rooms. If Ginnis is walking down the hall with the dog and he’s suddenly not by her side, she knows he’s ducked into one of the rooms with the goodies.
Three months into the school year, the students are used to seeing Asher trotting through the building. That hasn’t lessened his acclaim.
Sometimes the sight of Asher in the hallway can turn students’ attention toward the door.
“One teacher told me, ‘I’ve had enough with the celebrity of your dog,’” Ginnis said laughing, “‘He’s not Justin Bieber.’”
Asher is better behaved.