After a full day of tests, an MCHS student is ready to go home as they are completely exhausted and overtired from the stress of the day but they have one more class period left. They walk into the library to relax during their flex time, however, when signing in, the student is met with the face of therapy dog in training “Bailey” looking back at them.
Bailey is a therapy dog currently in training here at MCHS to provide students comfort if they are in need of it. Bailey is owned by two MCHS staff members Gary Myers, senior counselor and Cheryl Myers, Library and Media Specialist who both goaled to see a change in students with access to their dog Bailey 2-3 times a week in either the College and Career Center or the library.
Anxiety and stress has been a prominent issue within MCHS’ students for years. Cheryl went over to Crystal Lake South and did research on it last year and with all the research that she did and the benefits that she saw from other schools, the Myers decided to make the transition here so MCHS could see the same benefits.
The school has implemented many attempts already to make students feel safe and heard within these walls by adding in the Chill Zone, flexing during classes, or even having access to your counselor whenever. These solutions are amazing, however, it’s not always an easy resource to use.
According to Kyleigh Witt, junior at MCHS, resources like the Chill Zone can take a lot of courage to use.
“Classes can be stressful,” Witt says, “Having access to things like the Chill Zone can be very useful, but not as accessible to students on some occasions. So having a therapy dog in either the library or College and Career Center can be a lot easier for students to take a breather without having to open up to another person about their stress.”
With Bailey being located in the library or College and Career center makes it a lot easier for students to access, even if they just need a couple minutes of break from class to calm down.
“It’s nice that students can have a little downtime to decompress,” Cheryl says, “Your stress goes away and that’s our hope that having Bailey in here, study hall students would be able to interact with her and in the counseling office if a student is more upset and be needed in that regard.”
Talking to someone about their problems can be a really big obstacle for students when trying to receive help. Sometimes visiting a counselor can be intimidating. Gary has seen a lot of students that have a problem opening up about things that are going on outside of this building, so having a dog present during school hours might help bring out what’s affecting them easier.
“Already we have seen students use Bailey,” Gary says, “For example, with the election, we had a student that used Bailey . . . She came down to my office agitated, nervous, and upset and so I came over and grabbed Bailey, and she just sat there with her for a half hour and completely calmed down.”
Having a therapy dog around can lower stress and anxiety levels, lower blood pressure and improve students mental stability overall.
“Sometimes being around an animal rather than talking to a counselor, a social worker, or a psychologist can be better if they don’t need to see one of us.” Gary says, “They just need some time. And Bailey’s perfect for that.”
With only being here for a couple weeks, Bailey has already made her mark at MCHS.
“With only a few weeks of Bailey here, I’ve noticed a lot more excitement within students,” Witt says, “There has been more spirit, which I think is a beautiful addition that this school environment desperately needed and I personally can’t wait to meet her.”