Therapy dogs teach students skills, unconditional love

Chang, the South School therapy dog, rests comfortably at the feet of students Anthony Johnson, Josie Hall and Destiny Deluca as members of the Breakfast Club read or do homework before they go to their first class.

Chang, the South School therapy dog, rests comfortably at the feet of students Anthony Johnson, Josie Hall and Destiny Deluca as members of the Breakfast Club read or do homework before they go to their first class. Photo by Julie Smith.

By Leah Freeze

Saturday, February 26, 2011

They like to be scratched behind the ears every now and then, but don’t be fooled.

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These dogs are professionals.

Three Jefferson City public schools employ Dilly, Chang and Scout as certified professional therapy dogs.

They don’t get paid in money, of course, but a good head scratching or belly rub goes a long way.

The dogs and their handlers went through extensive training with CARES Inc., a Kansas-based organization specifically for assistance dogs.

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