Sixth grade learns about Pet-Assisted Therapy

 

Focusing on learning about animal-assisted therapy led sixth-graders to request a visit from volunteer Maggie Crawford from the Pet-Assisted Therapy (PAT) program at the Huntington Hospital. Crawford, along with her goldendoodle, Maisie, came to the sixth grade English classroom on Friday, May 1 (the same day as the annual Poly Pet and Hobby Show), and shared her experience and stories visiting and helping patients with the simple company of a dog.

She and Maisie visit hospital rooms to cheer people up and relieve stress from their illnesses and procedures. Maisie actually crawls into bed with the patients so they can snuggle with her! The sixth-graders shared their service-learning experience, which sprung from their reading of "The Giver," and how they have had both victories and disappointments in the process. Both Crawford and Maisie were appreciative of the students’ hospitality and the students were appreciative of how the PAT program helps people each day. Ms. Larios and the sixth-graders are hopeful that this visit will help the students raise awareness of the incredible usefulness animals and people can have toward improving the quality of life for one another.