THERAPY DOG HELPS IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH AT PACE HEAD START

New Bedford, MA — PACE Head Start is an early childhood learning center that provides education and services to over 200 children and families from Greater New Bedford. Opened in the early 1980s, PACE Head Start has continued in its commitment to improving the social, cognitive, and emotional skills of children, as well as providing support to caregivers and families to improve their child’s home life.
Recently, PACE Head Start has explored several ways to integrate more mental health support for children and their families. In February 2023, a new role was created when Sam, a golden-doodle therapy dog, joined the Head Start team.

With the support of a United Way of New Bedford grant, Sam attends school 3 days a week, greets children and families during their arrival and departure, and provides support in the classroom by joining the children in all kinds of activities throughout the day. Sam travels between the two preschool sites but spends most of his time at Head Start’s Smith Street location where his owner, Kristine Silva, is the Children’s Services Manager.
Program Director, Jill Fox, is very happy with the results of “hiring” Sam as their therapy dog, “we are thankful to the United Way of New Bedford for their continued support of our Head Start children and families. United Way has been a longtime partner with us, and they believe as we do, that it is critical to have programs that support the mental health of children and families.”

The cognitive benefits of having a therapy dog include stimulating problem-solving skills and life skills, enhancing executive function skills, and enhancing concentration, attention, and relaxation. The social benefits include feelings of connectedness and confidence, reduced negative behavior, increased trust and empathy, and are attributed to improved attendance. Sam is a great distraction and mood-changer for the children. One teacher mentioned that it is amazing to see children learn self-regulation techniques when they calm their emotions and get their bodies ready to spend time with Sam. He can motivate the child when sometimes a teacher cannot help.

Silva stated proudly, “I adopted Sam at 8 weeks old. Right from the start I knew he was special. He was a fast learner and mastered all his manners in no time. As he continued to grow, Sam’s temperament was friendly and gentle and it was a perfect fit to have him take the 12-week training program and become certified. At the end of the 12 class, he completed the Canine Good Citizens Test which certified Sam to be a therapy dog.”

She explained, “Sam not only helps the children but also the staff. I have noticed people are more present and immediately have a smile on their faces when Sam is around. They look forward to coming to spend time with him. I have had teachers who have experienced loss by losing a relative and they have sought out Sam for comfort. I am so privileged to be in this unique position to share my dog with others. I always believed Sam was destined for more than just being my pet.”

Sam enjoys his daily routine of waiting by the door wagging his tail with the sparkle in his eye and smile on his fur face. The children ask for him the minute they get off the school bus or when they are walking to their classroom with their families.
PACE Head Start, a leader in providing additional support to preschoolers, is the only local preschool that provides this unique support service. Since the introduction of Sam the therapy dog to PACE, other Head Start programs have reached out to find out how to start a therapy dog program at their schools as well.

Ms. Silva added, “If employers invest in providing staff with this sort of outlet, it will reduce stress and make the workplace a happier place. Dogs make a difference. They love unconditionally, and people can feel that. I look forward to continuing to provide this for our children and our staff.”
For more information about PACE Head Start, please contact Jill Fox at 508-999-1286 or jfox@paceheadstart.org. To learn more about the therapy dog program, please contact Kristine Silva at ksilva@paceheadstart.org or 508-984-3557.