Therapy Dog Attends Graduation at N.J. School After Becoming Students’ ‘Collective Best Friend’ (Exclusive)

Spiffy the English cream golden retriever received a diploma on a stick at the Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School graduation event

School’s out for Spiffy!

The English cream golden retriever finished from Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, on June 21.

Spiffy used a little graduation cap for the unique celebration, where he strolled throughout the phase with 357 two-legged graduates to receive his diploma, which began a stick.

Unlike the human graduates, Spiffy isn’t leaving Scotch Plains-Fanwood Public Schools; his time at the school district is simply beginning. The canine is a treatment dog with the Scotch Plains-Fanwood (SPF) school district’s animal treatment program.

Since Spiffy’s treatment dog profession began around the exact same time as the Class of 2023 began high school, it felt suitable for Scotch Plains-Fanwood Public Schools to acknowledge the golden retriever at graduation.

“Spiffy holds an unique location in the hearts of this finishing class. He started his journey at SPF while these trainees got in high school. They have actually bonded over their time together, so it was fitting Spiffy existed, wagging his tail to see them off,” Dr. Joan Mast, the Scotch Plains-Fanwood school district superintendent and Spiffy’s owner, informs individuals.

After seeing the positive modification treatment dogs gave other districts, Dr. Mast was encouraged to bring treatment dogs to Scotch Plains-Fanwood Public Schools.

“After going to a roundtable with superintendents from around the United States, I satisfied a superintendent who trained his own dog to be a treatment dog for his district. He welcomed me for a website check out to see first-hand how the dog’s existence changed the environment, bringing joy to trainees and staff. I understood I desired Scotch Plains-Fanwood Public Schools to likewise gain from the love and positivity a dog can contribute,” Dr. Mast says.

With trainees going to class from another location due to the pandemic, 2020 wound up being a perfect time for Dr. Mast to invite Spiffy into her home and start training the dog to be a school treatment animal.

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“The pandemic was a great time for us to get Spiffy and train him with very little interruption in our main administrative workplace and in the schools (due to staggered scheduling and social distancing). He has an excellent temperament and enjoys everybody, so he right away was an excellent prospect for training as a treatment dog. Since he was a puppy, he has actually accompanied me to the workplace,” Dr. Mast shares.

Spiffy finished his training with ease and ended up being a licensed treatment dog in May 2022. Before that accreditation, he passed 2 St. Hubert’s obedience courses and an innovative training course in March 2022.

Robin Broadbent, Dr. Mast’s executive assistant, likewise ended up being a licensed treatment dog handler, so she might offer constant care to Spiffy when Dr. Mast’s superintendent schedule ends up being too requiring.

“He copes with her most days of the week, so he can have the advantage of a constant work/home schedule. Just like people, he requires work/life balance to remain happy and healthy,” Dr. Mast says.

Over his training, Spiffy befriended the majority of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Public Schools trainees, so he had lots of individuals rooting for him when he ended up being accredited.

“Spiffy is the district’s cumulative friend. After the pandemic altered the landscape of education, Spiffy existed to reduce nerves and bring convenience to the trainees and staff upon going back to in-person school,” Dr. Mast says.

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“Spiffy is more than a shared animal. He is available for scheduled sees, he often visits club conferences and soothes young students throughout read-alongs. But he will not reject fast pats, treats, or a tummy rub while walking down the corridor.” she includes.

Understandably, Spiffy had a big cheering area at graduation.

“The trainees, staff, and the friends and families in the audience were so happy to have Spiffy consisted of in the graduation,” Dr. Mast says.

And the pooch enjoyed it too. While the golden retriever liked getting attention from his finishing buddies, Dr. Mast says the dog’s preferred part of the occasion was cheering on his human schoolmates.

While bye-byes are hard, Spiffy has countless brand-new buddies to make in the years to come as he continues to work as a treatment animal for Scotch Plains-Fanwood Public Schools.

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“The Class of 2023’s and Spiffy’s journeys are simply at the start. After turning their tassels, the class made the title of SPF alumni. Spiffy will stay at SPF and continue communicating with trainees. We will participate in summertime hours at the schools and be available for sees with the prolonged academic year program. His schedule is already filling for the 2023-2024 academic year, and we can’t wait!” Dr. Mast says.

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