2. WHAT IS A THERAPY DOG?
A therapy dog is a dog trained to
provide affection and comfort to
people in hospitals, retirement homes,
nursing homes, schools, hospices,
disaster areas, and to help students
focus and learn in schools.

3. MEET BRANDY! She is
a Certified Therapy
Dog!
A sweet and loving 7
year old Bullmastiff,
who is a “gentle
giant”…..her owner is
Mrs. Diane Cleary,
Student Assistance
Counselor.

4. It's well-known that interaction with a gentle,
friendly therapy dog has significant benefits:
Mental Health:
• lifts spirits and lessens depression
• decreases feelings of isolation and alienation
• encourages communication
• provides comfort
• increases socialization
• lowers anxiety
• helps children overcome speech and emotional disorders
• increases self-confidence, reduces self-consciousness
• reduces loneliness

5. Physical Health:
*lowers blood pressure
*improves cardiovascular health
*releases endorphins (oxytocin) that
have a calming effect
*diminishes overall physical pain
*the act of petting produces an
automatic relaxation response

6. Therapy dogs in schools….
• School counselors are finding that the presence of a therapy
dog can decrease anxiety and enable students to work through
issues such as anger management, bullying tendencies and
others psycho/social problems.
• In addition, therapy dogs have been used fairly widely in
recent years for reading enhancement.

7. What are Brandy’s QUALIFICATIONS?
Brandy has received special training by “Paws with Manners” and has passed
several requirements in order to become a certified therapy dog. She received
her certification through “love on a Leash” certifying organization.
She also has been awarded The Canine Good Citizen Award from the American
Kennel Club!

8. What are Mrs. Cleary’s qualifications?
•Diane Cleary is a Licensed Clinical Social worker
with over 23 years of experience working with
children, adolescents and their families in a variety
of settings. She has been with CCSD for 15 years.
•Mrs. Cleary has owned and trained Brandy since she
was a puppy. She has put in many volunteer hours
working with Brandy with various organizations to
be part of the Certified Therapy dog team.