Therapy dogs are one of those things that remind us of the power of emotions. The comfort of something warm and fuzzy seems to help people heal faster, feel better, and get out of bad mental spots. For those reasons (and a ton more), therapy dogs are used in hospitals, nursing homes, and even classrooms!

Hammonton Middle School decided to bring one of the best therapy dogs around to a classroom recently.

Wally, the new school therapy dog, had his first day of work at Hammonton Middle, and the results were amazing! When Wally started visiting classrooms around the school, the teachers noticed a stark difference.

“He came into my second class of the day, and you could just see their faces just lit up,” – Danielle Law, 7th Grade Teacher

With Covid impacting how classes operate, Wally makes a huge difference.

Schools all across the country are doing different things in the wake of the pandemic. In New Jersey, where Hammonton Middle is located, students must maintain six feet of difference and wear a mask at all times. For kids, there is a marked effect on school place happiness.

With small classes and a definitive change in energy, Wally is a huge addition to the team.

Danielle further commented on the effect Wally has had so far:

“It was really cool because I just feel like with this year our classes are small, everyone is 6 feet apart, and the masks … the energy changed in the room.”

The school decided to invite Wally to enroll after reading a report from another school in a nearby district.

Looking around for new solutions to problems is a sign of a good school. When Hammonton noticed the difference in classroom energy, they decided to look to their neighbors. After looking to a nearby school in a different system and seeing the results, they decided to try a therapy dog.

Principal Michael Nolan reached out to the superintendent and asked for permission.

“I immediately reached out to the superintendent (Robin Chieco) and was like, hey I want to do this,”

Even after getting the green light for the project, the school still faced some complications. With so many people stuck at home, adopting a pet was more challenging than it used to be. Adoptions are at an all-time high!

With adoption and needs up, the cost of therapy dogs nearly tripled!

Despite the extra cost, the school still felt it would be worth it. When they started the project, they had no idea how it would turn out. Now, they couldn’t imagine their hallways and classrooms without the familiar sight of Wally! He has an incredible temperament and loves all his kids with a passion.

“We’re always looking for different ways and different angles to reach kids,” the principal said. “When we started this, we didn’t think we were heading into a global pandemic. But it’s a good thing we did get him when we did because kids now are more secluded than they’ve ever been. We’re hoping he’ll be able to help with all that.”

Check out a video of Wally below!

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Source: YouTube, The Animal Rescue Site