The Therapy Dog: 2012-THE NONJUDGMENTAL ONE

2012 Maplewood Manor. Ellie, Lauren, Zoe, and Dominick with Casey

By now, you've probably figured out that "TheNonjudgmental One" referred to in the title of this post is none other than Casey. You may wonder about the origin of that evaluation. All I can do is assure you of the accuracy of my appraisal. About the only requirement that Casey has is that the person be alive. I can tell you what I think and I realize that you may be sceptical. That was the motivation for providing such a variety of photographs. I encourage you look at these photographs and make your own determination.

During the 2011-12 school year, Casey and I were "reunited" with the Division Street Elementary School. We had a very good relationship with the school librarian and we had worked at the school for several years. Unfortunately, when the librarian went on maternity leave during the summer of 2011, Casey and I got "lost in the shuffle." Although I contacted the substitute librarian and she promised to get back to me, when she did I got an unexpected surprise, she advised by e-mail, that they weren't doing the program this year. I didn't like that decision, but I could do nothing about it, so I accepted it.

Several months went by during the fall of 2011. We were available and I heard that the Geyser Road Elementary School would be interested in the therapy dog program. I called the principal at Division Street to get the name of the principal at Geyser Road and got a very pleasant surprise. She asked where I had been and when I told her there was no program this year, she said "That's news to me." Long story short- I received a call within a couple of days and Casey and I are now back at Division Street(2days a week!). We are working with students in the special education classes and with students in the general curriculum.