More than ever, Aurora area schools seem to be going to the dogs.
Waubonsee Community College recently announced a new staff member at the campus in Sugar Grove when Hope, a 6-year-old golden retriever, was “sworn in” a couple weeks ago as the school’s first comfort dog.
The ceremony was attended by college staff, administrators, faculty members and students, according to a press release, which described her role – to help promote mental health and well-being on campus – as an “innovative initiative.”
Certainly it is an idea that seems to be catching on. According to a November report from Psychology Today, these specially-trained canines are showing up more often on college campuses across the country as a way of reducing stress and anxiety, as well as boosting overall mood and happiness.
As far as Waubonsee Community College Police Chief J.C. Paez knows, the Sugar Grove campus is the only college in the area that has a comfort dog, but he’s already fielding calls from colleagues at other campuses who have expressed an interest in duplicating it. And with good reason.
Although the comfort dog has only been on duty a couple of weeks, her owner and handler Officer Danny Ramirez told me he’s “blown away by the positive reaction … positive energy” the dog has generated.
He and Hope – she has her own email – might start the day at the student center, he said, then go to the faculty area, especially on Mondays that always require a little more “lifting up,” before hitting some classrooms where there might be some anxiety because of a big speech or test, and even making a stop at the college’s dispatch center.
Whether Hope is part of a crisis intervention or a fun event, like Tuesday’s “Zen Zone” at the student center, “she is a big deal around here,” said Ramirez, a trained member of the Illinois Crisis Intervention Team, who comes with 12 years experience as a canine officer with Oak Brook before taking the part-time job at WCC.
Ramirez says it was not long after Hope became his dog when her owner passed away last fall that he got the idea of her becoming a comfort dog for the college, and the idea was quickly embraced in January by Chief Paez, who himself had been toying with the idea.
The research behind the positive benefits of comfort dog programs is overwhelming but not new, especially in this area. In 2021, East Aurora School District 131 began an unprecedented EA PAWS Program that placed a couple of golden retrievers in two schools. Today that pilot program has expanded to 12 schools, with two additional dogs in the onboarding process.
And there are plenty more to come. The goal is to have a comfort dog in all 22 schools, including the middle schools and at East Aurora High School, according to Jalitza Martinez, associate superintendent of staff and operations in School District 131.
The success of the PAWS program has been overwhelming, she said, and not just because of the difference these dogs can make with students.
East Aurora School District PAWS Program handler Elizabeth Rodriguez and comfort dog Max visit a classroom recently at Bardwell Elementary School in Aurora. (East Aurora School District 131)
“You can really see the impact on the staff too,” insisted Martinez.
I was able to witness that positive connection in the district first-hand a year ago when I visited the Gonzalez Child Center and watched a golden retriever named Vuolo interact with the kids there, many of whom have undergone trauma or exhibit behaviors that stymie learning in their neighborhood schools.
Back in March of 2023, district officials vowed to fast track the PAWS Program, and they stayed true to their word. That strong bond I saw with my own eyes was again evident in a recent video featuring Max – a comfort dog that joined Bardwell Elementary School last fall – which will be presented at the District 131 School Board meeting next week. And I have no doubt similar videos could be or have been made with Gus at Benavides STEAM Academy, Ace at O’Donnell, Oakley at Beaupre, Tilly at Gates, Maverick at Oak Park, Reese at Brady, Murray at Krug …You get the idea.
The program has been so successful, says Martinez, thanks to the vision of district leaders, but also due to the support from members of the community, who have stepped up to be certified as handlers or offered their dogs to go through the training provided by Healing Hearts Comfort Dogs.
“We are blessed. The program has attracted a lot of people interested in it, including other school districts,” said Martinez.
So far there has been nothing but praise for both programs.
The goal, said Ramirez, is to “leave a positive mark, to build positive interactions with students” that can build bridges and lead to meaningful conversations, he said, adding that “even if it’s just a quick interaction” with Hope, “they walk away feeling more positive.”
Which is why Chief Paez would like to see more campuses going to the dogs.
“If Waubonsee takes the lead,” he said, “other colleges will follow.”
dcrosby@tribpub.com
