Norwich School celebrates 15 years with therapy dog
NORWICH – If you attended Gibson Primary School in the last 15 years, there's a good chance you've met Faith the certified therapy dog.
Faith is owned by Jennifer Parker, who has been the occupational therapist at Gibson school for 17 years. She works with children in kindergarten, first and second grades on fine motor, visual, sensory, self-care and handwriting skills.
Prior to Faith, Parker had raised three dogs for the blind, but when the program she was with closed, she knew having a therapy dog at the school would be beneficial. Parker was Faith's "puppy raiser" and received her at eight weeks old. Faith started at Gibson immediately as a "working dog" and has come to school with Parker every day since then.
A normal day for Faith starts when they get to school around 6:30 a.m. Faith can be found running around the school greeting teachers as they get to work and collecting her treats. She is often seen in the lobby greeting parents and teachers as they come in to school. Faith is used in different classrooms as a reading dog, where children can read to her. "Unconfident readers can build confidence by reading to Faith because she doesn't judge," said Parker.
Throughout the past 15 years, Faith has had many jobs. She has taught children to throw a ball in therapy and has helped them work on strength and endurance by being pulled in the wagon. Parker said, "Kids with weight or activity level challenges can walk her for exercise."
Faith is also used by the counselors to help children with grief and dealing with emotions, or as part of a behavior plan. Children get to visit with Faith at the end of the day when they have made "good choices" on their behavior charts.
She is a big attraction at open house, parent conferences and meet and greet. Faith visits Perry Browne once a month and you will see her each year in costume at the Gibson Halloween Parade and even in the Gibson float during the parade.
Now that Faith is 15-years-old, the staff at Gibson have generously started a "Faith Fund" where they can contribute to the daily medications that she takes to keep her active.
"Faith has been my best friend for the last 14 plus years and has been with me both at work and at home since the day that I got her. It's just natural to have her by my side every day," said Parker.
In addition to Faith, Parker also has three sons ages 10, 7 and 3, a wonderful husband, another family dog, chickens, cats, cows, and horses.
Faith is owned by Jennifer Parker, who has been the occupational therapist at Gibson school for 17 years. She works with children in kindergarten, first and second grades on fine motor, visual, sensory, self-care and handwriting skills.
Prior to Faith, Parker had raised three dogs for the blind, but when the program she was with closed, she knew having a therapy dog at the school would be beneficial. Parker was Faith's "puppy raiser" and received her at eight weeks old. Faith started at Gibson immediately as a "working dog" and has come to school with Parker every day since then.
A normal day for Faith starts when they get to school around 6:30 a.m. Faith can be found running around the school greeting teachers as they get to work and collecting her treats. She is often seen in the lobby greeting parents and teachers as they come in to school. Faith is used in different classrooms as a reading dog, where children can read to her. "Unconfident readers can build confidence by reading to Faith because she doesn't judge," said Parker.
Throughout the past 15 years, Faith has had many jobs. She has taught children to throw a ball in therapy and has helped them work on strength and endurance by being pulled in the wagon. Parker said, "Kids with weight or activity level challenges can walk her for exercise."
Faith is also used by the counselors to help children with grief and dealing with emotions, or as part of a behavior plan. Children get to visit with Faith at the end of the day when they have made "good choices" on their behavior charts.
She is a big attraction at open house, parent conferences and meet and greet. Faith visits Perry Browne once a month and you will see her each year in costume at the Gibson Halloween Parade and even in the Gibson float during the parade.
Now that Faith is 15-years-old, the staff at Gibson have generously started a "Faith Fund" where they can contribute to the daily medications that she takes to keep her active.
"Faith has been my best friend for the last 14 plus years and has been with me both at work and at home since the day that I got her. It's just natural to have her by my side every day," said Parker.
In addition to Faith, Parker also has three sons ages 10, 7 and 3, a wonderful husband, another family dog, chickens, cats, cows, and horses.
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