Therapy Dog Provides Comfort in the Classroom

DAVENPORT, Ia. — A staff member at an elementary school in Davenport, Iowa helps students get excited about class! Gracie, the golden retriever works as a comfort dog at Trinity Lutheran School in Davenport.

Gracie inspires and comforts the kids depending on the situation.

“I’ve seen kids when they have a scrape from outside, and they came in and they saw Gracie, and they had a huge smile on their face,” said Madison Fuller, a fourth grader.

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Gracie was trained to be a therapy dog by inmates at an Illinois prison. She graduated from the same program that trained dogs who helped victims of the Joplin tornado and the Northern Illinois School shootings. She even helps students with their reading assignments.

“She is a calming influence,” said Meyer. “A dog isn’t going to judge if you mess up, so kids practice and they get better.”

Gracie lives with a teacher at her home. The dog’s food, grooming and vet care is donated.

Gracie is also on Facebook! Click here to see her page.