Not so ruff

Many students have noticed Carroll’s newest addition. He can usually be seen wearing an argyle sweater, a neat handkerchief, and a leash.

Nixon, an eight and a half year old Boston Terrier, is the school’s new therapy dog. Trained and handled by Ms. Casey Harris, guidance counselor, he can be seen on Tuesdays and Fridays – at the High School on A days and the Senior High on B days.

“Research shows that having an animal, like a cat or a dog, in a setting where a student is stressed – or even an adult is stressed – usually brings a sense of calmness to the person in distress,” Harris said.

According to the guidance website, other benefits of animal-assisted therapy include the development of social and personal skills and a sense of community and compassion.

“Especially in Carroll, where we have high stakes… bringing Nixon here may relieve that overall stress and bring everyone down to a comfortable place,” Harris said.

Students may find Nixon in the guidance office, roaming the hallways during passing periods, spending time in the library, and even popping in on classes. Nixon engages in ‘Animal Assisted Activities,’ which include petting him, feeding him a treat, or playing ball with him.

“I’m in six AP classes,” Emma Jogerst, senior, said. “So when I see Nixon’s cute little puppy face, it really calms me down, makes me happier, and makes me want to come to school.”

Harris said that this is the kind of effect she was aiming for.

“I hope that [students] can see Nixon as a way to destress and lighten the air when things are tough, especially during finals… or even when students are applying to college and awaiting acceptance,” she said. “Nixon’s there just to hang out and be another presence. The human-animal connection is huge.”

However, Harris knows not everyone is a dog person.

“Nixon doesn’t always have to be involved if there’s a situation where a student is not comfortable,” she said. “Nixon is very flexible with that, and so am I. As his handler, I can make that determination.”

Nixon doesn’t only spend time at the high schools; he also interacts with Pre-K students at Southlake Early Care and Education.

“He works well with kids and adults – all ages, all different types of people,” Harris said. “That’s one of the important things about a therapy dog. They’re able to acclimate easily, they’re sociable, and they can handle lots of people as well as one-on-one.”

Harris rescued Nixon when he was just nine months old, and though they are a certified Pet Partners therapy team, at the end of the day, he is still her family dog.

“Nixon goes home with me, and he’s usually pretty wiped out,” she said. “I take off his harness and his handkerchief, which signifies to him that he’s actually in working mode, so when we remove that, he becomes a different dog.”

Having received positive feedback from students, faculty, and parents, Harris is excited about the future of the program.

“I love it. I think it’s a great thing for students,” she said. “There’s lots of colleges in the area that’s encouraging this, so I hope we really can expand this program. And I’d like to be a part of that.”