By: Abe Wolf 

     In recent years, the Warren County School District has developed a new program called the PAWsitive Support Program, where therapy and emotional support dogs are present in the school to boost the overall morale and wellness of students and staff. This year, our very own Mrs. Rouse obtained Wags, a goldendoodle, who is Eisenhower’s emotional support dog. The Squire interviewed Mrs. Rouse to learn more about Wags and the PAWsitive Support Program. 

The Squire: What is the PAWsitive Support Program in the school district? 

Mrs. Rouse: The PAWsitive Support Program is a program to improve school climate and enhance social and emotional services with trained therapy dogs. 

TS: What was the process for obtaining Wags and becoming the teacher who would train her? 

MR: When I signed up, we were at a faculty meeting, and Mrs. Beers asked if anyone was interested in a therapy dog because they couldn’t find anyone to have one, so I went home and talked to Mr. Rouse. Everything is paid for through the school district and my children have been begging for a dog, so I was like ‘Let’s try it out,’ and originally, they had a one-year-old goldendoodle that we were supposed to be getting, but it turned into a puppy. We love Wags, but she is a lot of work right now, so the only things I have had to train her on is sitting, shaking, down, crawl, and to come to her name, which we are still working on. 

TS: How has the training process for Wags gone so far? 

MR: For the most part really good, actually! Sit was in a day, shake happened in a day, she’s very smart. She still struggles to come to her name, like if she sees something she wants, she’s not coming back from it, and she will not listen to anyone but me, which is frustrating at times.  

TS: What are Wags’ duties as a therapy/service dog? 

MR: Her duties are to give emotional and social support to kids in need. Right now, she mainly hangs out in my room. She does not like to be ignored, so if you are walking in the hall and you ignore her, she will chase after you until you acknowledge her, so she’s really good at the social part. 

TS: What are the benefits and struggles of having Wags? 

MR: The benefits are that I just feel so happy. The kids in the room have said they love having Wags with us and you definitely feel great from having Wags in the room. When she’s not here, people notice it and ask where Wags is. The struggles are trying to get what I need done and dragging Wags along, like using the restroom or using the faculty room, which is tough for me, and I can’t bring her with me, so she has to be crated and barks and cries when she is away from me. 

   The Squire would like to thank Mrs. Rouse for her time and dedication to bringing more joy and better wellness into the school with Wags! Make sure to give Wags some love and pets when you see her (and say hello to Mrs. Rouse as well).