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Earlham Community School District is a Leader in Me School, where we develop student leadership through the 8 Habits of Highly Effective People and focus on leadership, culture, and academics throughout our buildings. At the heart of Leader in Me are five Core Paradigms—fundamental beliefs that shape how we see students, learning, and our school community.
Our therapy dog program naturally aligns with and reinforces these core paradigms. While our Student Lighthouse Teams help train peers on appropriate interactions with Lily, every student has opportunities to develop leadership skills through their time with our therapy dog. Whether a student is modeling kindness, making responsible choices, or discovering their own unique strengths, Lily provides a supportive presence that brings Leader in Me principles to life.
Below, we highlight three key paradigms and how they connect to our therapy dog program in supporting student growth and well-being.
The therapy dog program creates leadership opportunities for all students, regardless of their academic or social standing.
Students can lead by modeling appropriate interactions with Lily, helping peers feel comfortable around her, following and teaching the ROAR guidelines, and taking responsibility during their individual interaction time.
Leadership isn't limited to traditional roles—it's demonstrated through kindness, responsibility, and setting a positive example.
Students are empowered with choice and agency throughout the therapy dog program. They decide whether to participate, select activities from the menu options for individual time, and determine what they need from their time with Lily.
This autonomy supports intrinsic motivation and helps students recognize themselves as active participants in their own social-emotional growth.
The therapy dog program addresses students holistically—supporting cognitive development, physical wellness, emotional health , and social growth.
Successfully implementing the program requires genuine partnership between teachers, families, staff, the dog handler, and the broader school community, with everyone working together to create a nurturing environment that supports the complete development of each child.
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