ILES second graders Harper Moody and Grace Young snuggle with Crisis Response K9 Ashley. (Indian Lake SCHOOLS PHOTO)
Indian Lake Elementary students got a special visit from some highly-trained furry friends to start the week on Monday, March 25.
Members of the Ohio Chapter of the Crisis Response K9 Team came to classrooms for cuddles. Ohio Team Leader Shirley Graziano said it’s a known fact that dogs in general help lower blood pressure, increase endorphins and offer emotional first aid.
“They just let people get out of their head for the moment. If they’re really depressed and dwelling on that, they can bring them into a different state of mind.”
The kiddos smiled and flocked to the dogs to rub their fur and shake their paws.
Graziano said the best part of the canine visits is that often people realize how much they’ve been holding inside and then they seek counseling.
K9s Zodiac, Billie and Ashley stopped to see students in the gym before heading into several classrooms. The team and their dogs have responded to several tragedies around the state and across the country.
“We just want them to feel like today was fun and everything isn’t just about loss and the tornado,” Graziano explained.
