Roger has positive influence on students of all ages
Roger is so comfortable with his recent hiring as a staff member at the public school in Minneota that he often plops down on a bean bag chair in one of the classrooms and takes a little nap. Students will sometimes even place a blanket over him. “He enjoys his naps and his student visits,” said Elementary Principal Jen Mahan-Deitte. “Students look forward to their time with Roger and he is a reward for some of them.”
Roger is a rescue dog owned by Caryn Hetland, who has been a Sped Paraprofessional at the school for the past 18 years. Because of Roger’s fondness for children, Hetland brought him to school during “I Love to Read Month” last year as a “guest reader” and the kids responded well to him. So, the school decided to make Roger a therapy dog, completing all the paper work needed for certification. He is now a full-fledged member of the school, with his name on the staff directory as “Roger Hetland, Therapy Dog”.
He even has his own locker in the Teacher’s Lounge. “Simply put, Roger has brought peace and joy to the school,” said Mahan-Deitte. “We adore him, and we can’t imagine school without him.” Roger knows when he will be heading to school each day, too. “When I get ready in the morning, he sits and waits and watches me to see if I am going to grab his leash,” Hetland said. “He will go and sit by the door and wait. He tries to be patient, but usually his excitement overtakes that.”
Hetland brought Roger into her home as a foster pet from the Tracy Area Animal Rescue, as she has with many other rescue dogs. Roger was picked up as a stray in Worthington and was going to be euthanized by his previous owner.
“When I first took him into my home, I was planning to find someone to adopt him,” said Hetland, who's house is a foster home for rescue dogs. “But there was something special about him and I fell in love with him right away. So I ended up adopting him.” Roger is a five-year-old Corgi mix.
He is such a popular figure at school that he was even being congratulated by many faculty members when they learned he was named the Mascot’s Pet of the Week in last week’s edition. Therapy dogs are becoming increasingly popular, not only in senior living facilities, but also in schools. Studies show that therapy dogs can have a calming effect and reduce stress levels in most students, while children with autism are more social when playing with therapy dogs as opposed to toys.
“I’ve seen him pull and escalate a student out of his mood instantly – just from spotting Roger coming down the hallway,” said Mahan-Deitte. “He is an easy-going guy who allows us to give him a touch every time we pass him.”
As the noon bell sounded, Roger instinctively sat down at the hallway intersection and waited. In a matter of seconds, students and faculty members filled the hallway and nearly every one of them said “Hi Roger” and/or pet his head as they passed by. “A little spoiled?” Hetland was asked. Her facial expression revealed that no answer was needed. Roger’s girth has widened a little since first coming to school and he showcases it with is penguinesque waddle down the hallway with Hetland holding onto his leash.
“As you can see, he gets a lot of treats from the kids,” Hetland laughed.
When students recite the Pledge of Allegiance, Roger stands with them. “And when we are outside during recess and the whistle is blown, Roger runs in with the kids,” Hetland remarked.
“Roger’s presence in the school building has impacted both students and adults in a positive way,” said Hetland. “He seems to have an intuition when someone in struggling. He often will seek out individuals and just sit or lay next to them.” The teachers know what a valuable asset Roger is. One of them, school social worker Amber Rodas, works with kids pre-K to seniors on learning social skills to cope with the pressures that life presents to them.
“Roger has been a positive influence for the students in my room,” said Rodas. “They are excited to see him and he can really help change a moment quickly.
“If a student is stuck on something or having a tough time, it’s amazing to see how fast their thoughts or mood changes if I suggest we take Roger for a walk. That quick walk can turn their day around and make learning happen once more. There have been times in the past where I could be waiting 30 minutes to an hour to see those mindset changes.”
Mahan-Deitte said Roger is a reward for several of the students who are earning points for achieving behavior goals. “He has a powerful effect on students and staff; bringing on instant smiles. And we are lucky to have him in the building,” she noted.
Hetland is elated that Roger has become a big part of her life, as well as others. “I am blessed to spend part of my day at school with my pup,” she said. “But bigger blessings go to the kids he shares his day with. He loves being part of their day.”