After a rise in students suffering from mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, Danville High School principal Haley Ralston reached out to Pawsibilities Unlimited, a training facility for service dogs in Frankfort. The organization gave Danville High School Addie, a bouvier-aussiedoodle who will be turning one year old in April.
Addie is trained to recognize when students are suffering from mental health issues and provides comfort to them. She also is used to encourage reluctant readers to read more and sits with them as they read. In the few days that Addie has been at the school, students have already responded with positivity to her. Principal Ralston said that having Addie has improved morale among students and staff and that the overall mood of the school has been happier.
The school has three staff members trained to handle Addie including Ralston. Another councilor is currently receiving training to handle her. Principal Ralston said that she teaches all staff members basic commands to use on Addie.
