We are pleased to introduce a new initiative to support students’ well-being at John Read Middle School. Daisy, a trained therapy dog who belongs to one of our teachers, will provide an additional source of comfort and connection for students through planned activities and staff-facilitated visits.

Our goal is to incorporate Daisy thoughtfully into our existing student support services. Her anticipated schedule is three days per week, generally Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with adjustments for school holidays.

A gradual introduction

Before beginning individual student support visits, Daisy will spend approximately two weeks becoming familiar with our Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) staff and their offices. These initial visits will take place without students present. Daisy’s handler will monitor her comfort and determine when she is ready for gradual student interactions. Her schedule and activities will include breaks and adjustments as needed.

How students may interact with Daisy

Students may see Daisy during planned school activities, such as arrival or dismissal, advisory, classroom social-emotional learning lessons, or school events. These opportunities do not require an individual referral.

For students who need more individualized support, a school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or administrator will determine whether a brief visit with Daisy could help support their emotional regulation or well-being. For example, a visit may be appropriate for a student experiencing anxiety, frustration, grief, or a difficult transition.

These visits will typically last 5–10 minutes. A PPS staff member will bring Daisy to the student, facilitate the interaction, and help the student return to class. Staff will briefly document the visit and identify any follow-up support needed. Counseling staff or administrators may also include Daisy as part of a coordinated response when a student is experiencing more significant emotional distress.

A purposeful support process

Individual visits with Daisy will be arranged through our pupil personnel services team rather than through students requesting a visit directly. This process helps ensure that visits serve a specific purpose and support students’ participation in their school day. Daisy will complement the counseling, interventions, and other services already available at JRMS.

Although Daisy is small and a non-shedding breed, if your child has a dog allergy, a fear of dogs, or another concern about interacting with Daisy, please contact your child’s school counselor, social worker, or school psychologist so we can discuss their needs and plan accordingly.

We look forward to welcoming Daisy into this role and providing another caring connection within our school community. Thank you for your partnership as we introduce this initiative.