Meet Meila

• 2 ½ Years Old born on April 20, 2017

• Female Golden Retriever

• Certified by the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.         

• We are part of the St. Joseph’s Hospital Therapy Dog team. 

  • We visit patients, staff, and families to ease anxiety and bring joy.

• Raised by Guide Dogs for the Blind   

  • Career Changed because she is too “Bird Distracted” (she likes people too much) 

Research has shown that therapy dogs support psychological and academic growth while increasing social skills and self-esteem in children and adolescents. Therapy dogs have been trained to provide emotional support which positively impacts reading skills, emotional functioning and communication skills. In addition, the use of therapy dogs may decrease anxiety, improve self-esteem and increase overall academic achievement in students.

• Positive presence on campus

• Work with students 1-1 having a hard day, working through grief, anxiety, life changes

• Work with students in a group counseling experience

• Read/work with reluctant readers or learners

• Come in to classrooms

If a student is not comfortable with dogs or allergic please bring the form to the front office so we can respect the needed space of your student.   

• Meila loves to be pet and get ear rubs

• Students can pet her 1 student at a time, they can form a line if needed

• Meila will always be with Mrs Butcher on a leash

• Meila has a very sensitive tummy and can not be given treats except for her regular food, baby carrots, and peanut butter

Meila and I are excited to start coming to JMC campuses on Wednesday October 2 :)