The Peace and Wellness Space (PAWS) welcomed Ginger, a trained facility dog, this Tuesday. Ginger will be in PAWS every Tuesday this year to welcome and support students.
Ginger, a labrador and golden retriever cross, was raised by a family in her early life then later trained by Canine Angels Service Teams in Grants Pass, Oregon. In that facility, she supported individuals with disabilities.
Ginger has also worked with Sequoia Union High School District’s Transitional Resources for Adult Community Education (TRACE) program.
Ginger’s journey to M-A was all but chance. Unlike adopting an animal, a handler doesn’t get to choose which dog they receive. Instead, dogs and handlers are specially matched based on personality, work setting, and other like factors. Ginger was ultimately matched with Sequoia Union High School District psychologist Dr. Edith Bennett, who works with Ginger all day while in PAWS.
When I walked into PAWS, I immediately felt super happy to see a dog here, it was so adorable and it just brightened up my whole day.
Tessa Carneiro, junior
“When the opportunity was presented that we could have a therapy dog here one day a week, I jumped on it,” mental health specialist and PAWS director Teshionda Nickerson said.
Nickerson’s enthusiasm toward PAWS’ new furry friend is primarily due to the impact she knows he will have. “We always have a lot of people in here anyways, but I think you just really see students’ moods lift, they just get really excited to see the dog,” she said.
Nickerson was undoubtedly right: Ginger brings an increased number of students to PAWS every Tuesday.
“When I walked into PAWS, I immediately felt super happy to see a dog here, it was so adorable and it just brightened up my whole day,” junior Tessa Carneiro said.
Suffice to say, Ginger has already left her pawprint on PAWS and all of M-A. Ginger may come visit classrooms throughout the school year, but students can always find her in PAWS each Tuesday.
