When North Kingstown’s students returned to school this past September, many were surprised to learn that NKHS had acquired its first therapy dog, Whitney. Whitney, who belongs to Ms. Paula Calitri, the school psychologist, has been well-received by students and faculty.

“Whitney is one of the best things that has ever happened to this school,” said one North Kingstown High School student. Not only have NKHS’s students embraced Whitney, but Calitri, her owner, cannot help but rave about her, too.

Whitney, at only two years old, has already received her K9 good citizenship award and has been certified through Pet Partners. The training process was a two-way street, and, while Ms. Calitri gives Whitney almost all of the credit, she said she had to spend “a lot of time talking to her, bonding with her, and reinforcing her.”

Pet Partners is one of the most strict therapy dog training organizations. It requires recertification every two years and dogs must be at least one year old to certify. While most dogs do not pass until the age of six or seven, Whitney passed the certification course right away.

Calitri explains that she did not get Whitney with the intention of making her a therapy dog. She said that “her vet told her that she had a great personality for a therapy dog,” and that Whitney “had no pressure on her to pass, but she did a great job.”

People’s reactions to Whitney are hardly anything but positive. “As soon as someone sees her, they immediately feel happy, their stress levels go down,” Calitri said.

Therapy dogs have been studied and documented to have several positive benefits in social, and cognitive aspects. Students have come together to say hi to or pet Whitney. Students from different groups, who maybe would not have spoken to each other otherwise, talk and bond over Whitney. “It’s breaking down barriers,” said Calitri.

Another NK student said how she thinks Whitney “is a beautiful resource that comforts and helps people under stress.” Studies have shown that when stress levels go down, people are more receptive to learning.

North Kingstown students are allowed to visit Whitney whenever they need to. Calitri said, “Teachers understand that emotional and cognitive issues work hand in hand, so typically it is not an issue.”

The benefits of therapy dogs have been realized in many schools around the nation. After the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut on December 14, 2012, therapy dogs were brought into the school. Their effect was immense, with some dogs and owners now continuing to visit students that have moved on from the elementary school.

Therapy dogs are helpful because of their infectious happiness. They have an energetic, excited personality and this way of living in the present. “She grounds people, she makes them realize what is important,” Calitri said of Whitney.

Whitney’s positivity seems to light up people’s faces throughout the school. Calitri said, “I love the concept of ‘pay it forward,’ and I think Whitney does that beautifully.” People’s positive moods after they see Whitney tends to transcend into the rest of their day. They tell their friends about seeing her and that makes them happy. “It has a ripple effect,” Calitri said.

Whitney is able to do her job well because of how perceptive she is. It is part of her training and part of who she is to understand how a person is feeling and how to comfort them.

Calitri knows she is succeeding at her goal with Whitney, helping people emotionally, based on the positive feedback she receives from students, parents, and faculty. One student said, “she brings me so much joy.”

While some people may have doubts about therapy dogs, the majority agrees that they can be a great resource. Not only is there ample research online about the benefits, but many students at North Kingstown High School support the concept. Studies and anecdotal evidence have both shown that therapy dogs are great motivators and stress relievers. Whitney has brought positivity to numerous NK students and, as junior Emily Thorsen said, “is the happiest dog I’ve ever seen.”