Therapy Dog Donation Series Post #1!
We donated our first doggie care package to support the Gowanda Central School District’s therapy dog program and its handlers!
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, students have faced unique stressors and anxiety triggers. The effects on student mental health became apparent, and a small group of faculty didn’t want the students to navigate it alone. Thus came the therapy dog program. Those same teachers who sought to make a difference became therapy dog handlers. The program is now thriving with dog coverage across the district for both student & faculty mental support.
Enter Franklin, a 2-year-old yellow lab whose therapy dog duties span all grade levels at the elementary building. He’s a tremendous resource for young panther students if they become upset or struggle with a difficult assignment. When Franklin is not at school, he enjoys taking long walks around his neighborhood, snacking on all things cheese, and sleeping on the couch. He also volunteers with first responders in Buffalo to help firefighters who experience signs of PTSD.
We were thrilled to support Franklin with a doggie care package of his favorite toys & treats! A gift certificate for local grooming services was included as well. Special thanks to K9 Clippers and Just Pets for collaborating in this series. It truly does take a village!
Are you interested in supporting Franklin and the therapy dog program? Now is your chance! We are taking donations on behalf of the handlers to help them cover expenses. The donation window will conclude at the end of this series, where all contributions will be submitted to the school district. Links for digital donations are in our bio, and checks can be mailed to PO Box 44, Gowanda, NY. Please consider helping these therapy dog teams support our local students!
Have a great week, Gowanda!
