Pet Therapy Benefits Bonnie Brae Students

Pet Therapy Benefits Bonnie Brae Students

St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, of Madison, has been offering therapy dog visits at Bonnie Brae since 2009. The volunteers from “St. Hubert’s Paws for People Program” visit Bonnie Brae three times each month. Staff clinician Victor Swenson introduced the program to the residents of Metcalf Cottage in 2009, and the program was expanded this year to include students from all three Bonnie Brae schools--New Rec, Pace, and the Main School.

Clinician Erin Reyhan said, “Each time a therapy animal interacts with a student, a positive effect can be seen. The therapy provides a short escape from the difficult reality our students live with, and also allows the students to interact closely with the dog handlers, offering valuable opportunities to work on their own communication and social skills. Additionally, we have been able to reach some of our more difficult students through the affection, support, and love that only a dog or venomous tree frog can offer.” Thanks to Victor Swenson, Erin Reyhan and Debra Gennaria for all their hard work on this outstanding and valuable project.