Everyday is “Rozie” at Harmony Hill with everyone’s favorite golden retriever celebrating 10 years of bringing smiles and comfort to students and staff.
“She makes people happy and helps when someone is having a less than successful day,” said Harmony Hill Principal Mark Perry. “She can sense people that need emotional support.”
On any given day, Rozie can be found greeting students and staff as they arrive, making classroom visits, playing games or just providing comfort and support.
“I love ‘Rozie time,’” said one fifth grade student. “I think it’s good to have her around because a lot of students like to be near her to pet her and feel more calm.”
Therapy dogs have been in hospitals since the 1970s, but have been increasingly welcomed in educational settings in recent decades. Studies have shown that therapy dogs can help children cognitively and emotionally.
According to Mr. Perry, Rozie became certified during a year-long process through a Therapy Dogs International organization in Guilderland.
“Having Rozie certified as a therapy dog meant that I could train her in various situations that she might encounter,” he said. “She learned to be calm around wheelchairs, crutches, school age children and senior patients.”
In fact, for five years, they were regular visitors to the Eddy Village Green in Cohoes.
But for now, Rozie is content accompanying her dad to school each day and seeing her many friends.
“She is excited every day that I put on her bandana because she knows that she is headed to school,” said Mr. Perry. “Being at Harmony has made her into a fantastic pet and an asset to the building. Rozie loves coming to Harmony as much now as she did 10 years ago.”
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