When Judy Winter stumbled upon a malnourished Oreo-colored Australian Shepherd while volunteering at the Capital Area Humane Society in Lansing, she saw her dream puppy. Four years and several certifications later, Jack, the once-timid shelter dog, has become a source of comfort and affection for children and adults in his role as a therapy dog.
Winter, who co-founded the Eric “RicStar” Winter Music Therapy Camp, said she wanted to have therapy dogs for children at camp, and it was working with children where Jack found his calling.
“Jack is there to be loved,” Winter said. She also noted the importance of therapy animals such as Jack in helping those in need of emotional support.
“Therapy dogs provide great stress relief and make people feel good through petting, hugging and interaction,” she said.
Since passing his American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizens test and becoming certified with Therapy Dogs International, Winter and Jack have begun working within Schavey Road Elementary School of DeWitt, Mich. They since have expanded to an additional school, and Winter said they look forward to continuing to help children at no cost to the district.
Emily Palmatier, the principal of Schavey Road Elementary, has been working with Jack since she was a counselor within the school earlier this year.
“The reaction has been nothing but positive,” Palmatier said. “Jack brings joy to every child.”
Jack’s duties include walking the halls, visiting classrooms and providing a listening ear for children who love to read to him, according to Palmatier.
Jack represents just one of the many success stories of adopted dogs, according to Winter.
Julia Palmer, the president and CEO of the Capital Area Humane Society, said the benefits of interacting with animals, including working with therapy dogs, are numerous and profound.
“We see lots of benefits from therapy dogs, especially when working with children,” Palmer said.
She also said children are able to lean on dogs like Jack for support and in return receive unconditional love.
The same love and support also is provided when Winter and Jack walk the streets of East Lansing. Many students, who missed their own pets back at home would run up to Jack and eagerly asking to pet him.
“Everyone gets to pet Jack — that’s the beauty of it,” she said.
Winter and Palmatier said after witnessing how children interact with Jack, they believe every school should be fortunate enough to have a therapy dog.
“One mom came up to me and thanked me for having Jack at school. Her son with autism had always been afraid of dogs,” Winter recalled. “She came in the building one day and saw a young student petting Jack and said she wished it was her son. It was.”
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