Sparty's Legacy: Bringing Therapy Dogs to OASD

Carl Traeger Elementary has been lucky enough to be the recipient of the OASD’s first district-owned therapy dog. Spartacus, or Sparty, is a loveable English Lab that is making a difference for students every single day. Sparty came to Traeger after their school counselor, Kaelee Heideman, was awarded a Herb Kohl Fellowship. The money from this fellowship and additional grant money was used to purchase Sparty. He is a professionally trained therapy dog who costs just over $9,000. Since he is owned by the district, the district covers his vet bills and provides a monthly stipend for food and grooming expenses to his caregiver, Ms. Heideman. He lives with her and comes to school with her every day.

Spartacus joined the Traeger school family in early January of 2023. From his very first day on the job, Sparty has been making a difference. His job as a therapy dog means he comes to Classroom Counseling lessons with the school counselor, supports students who are having a hard time, and provides crisis response support at the district level.

Since January 9, 2023, Sparty has been deployed to students in need within the building and district 28 times. In addition to these deployments, he has provided support to students experiencing anxiety and has provided breaks for students. Several students have special “Sparty jobs.” They are responsible for filling Sparty’s water dish, brushing him, or assisting with his potty breaks. These jobs give students a sense of purpose and allow them to care for another living being. Sparty provides opportunities to practice empathy. Students notice how he feels and co-regulate with him when he gets nervous. They know that he is overwhelmed when he tucks his tail and they often tell each other they need to back up or be quieter to help him feel safe. Sometimes they give him hugs to help him feel better. If a student is having a hard time and is throwing things or yelling, we often just need to point out that Sparty is feeling scared and the student can give him a hug to help calm both Sparty and themselves.

Spartacus offers support across the school district. He responded to three major crises within the district during the second semester of the 22-23 school year. Spartacus was available at two middle schools and at an early learning site. He visited small groups at another elementary school and middle school. Although crisis response has always been part of a school counselor’s job, there has been a noticeable difference in the reaction of the students since Sparty joined the team. Staff and students alike are drawn to him and look to him for some extra love. The way that Sparty’s presence changes the climate of a room is truly amazing. He carries a special kind of magic that heals.

Spartacus was reading buddies with four students and one small classroom during the second semester of the 22-23 school year. He had weekly appointments with the students who got some extra practice time reading with Spartacus. He is a great listener and helps build confidence. Students often chose to read books about dogs to him as they snuggled up next to him in a special reading nook.

Sparty has been helpful to students with disabilities. He has provided opportunities for students receiving speech therapy to create stories about him. Many students who benefit from support with social skills have been drawn to Spartacus. They talk to him when they cannot talk to other students or staff. They process challenging situations throughout their days with him.

Sparty’s reach extends beyond the walls of our school. He became great buddies with a kindergarten student. They took breaks together and the student often shared his writing or things he was proud of with Sparty. This kindergartener started each morning by spending a few minutes with Spartacus at the doors before he headed down to his classroom. The student was gifted a picture of Sparty in a frame to take home. During a meeting with his parents, they shared that when the student got upset at home one night he told them he needed to go look at his picture of Sparty because it helped him calm down, just like visiting him at school did.

After seeing the difference Spartacus has made in just one semester, we need to provide the opportunity for other schools within the district to have access to therapy dogs. Therapy dogs can help students feel safer and calmer at school. The dogs can assist with emotional regulation and crisis response. They can strengthen a school community and provide countless opportunities for empathy building and academic skill building. Although therapy dogs are costly, they are worth every cent. Money raised will go toward the purchase of additional therapy dogs as appropriate dogs and handlers are identified, as well as being used to cover vet bills and handler stipends. Our students deserve the magic of a therapy dog in schools across the Oshkosh Area School District!