Greetings Lowell,
Lowell School is excited to announce that we are welcoming a new facility dog to our school named Brady. He is an English Cream Retriever who has been trained by Golden Opportunities for Independence (GOFI). We became interested in having our own facility dog after seeing the amazing impact Raider was having on the Middle and High School.
Facility dogs like Brady are specially trained to work in healthcare, education, and other settings to help multiple people feel safe, comfortable, and motivated. They can perform tasks such as picking up items, opening doors, and providing calming pressure.
Service dogs, on the other hand, help individuals with disabilities by performing daily tasks like opening doors and retrieving items or assisting people with PTSD by reducing anxiety and fear.
Community resource dogs work with communities to recover from trauma or crisis. They provide comfort, help de-escalate stressful situations, and work with police to build trust and ensure community safety. These dogs are trained to handle adverse situations.
Facility dogs like Brady undergo comprehensive training in obedience, socialization, and desensitization. This ensures they can effectively work in settings such as schools, healthcare facilities, and other environments where their calming presence is beneficial.
Key Training Components:
Obedience: Brady has learned essential commands such as "sit," "down" "stand," and "watch me", "leave it", "Come."
Socialization: He is taught to remain calm around various groups, including strangers, children, other animals, and even amidst medical equipment.
Desensitization: Brady has been exposed to loud noises, public settings with various age groups and activities, and unpredictable situations to ensure he remains composed.
For Brady to be certified as a facility dog, he must pass the Assistance Dogs International (ADI) Public Access Test. Our team, comprising Stacy Phelan, Abby Killeen, and Jim Swift, is in the process of completing a two-week training course to become certified handlers. Brady will commute to and from school with Mrs. Phelan, while Ms. Killeen will be Brady’s primary handler throughout the school day. The team will undergo regular re-certification to maintain their skills and effectiveness.
Brady has begun coming to the school in the afternoons after training this week and will come again next week. We will host a school wide assembly on March 10th officially introducing Brady to our students and set expectations with our students.
Brady will always be accompanied by one of his trained handlers and will be on a leash, wearing his working vest to signal to him and others that he is at work. Students will learn how to interact positively with Brady, but interaction is strictly voluntary. For students dealing with difficult life events or anxiety, spending time with a comfort pet like Brady can be incredibly beneficial. Additionally, some students might enjoy having Brady as a reading buddy, which can create a nurturing and supportive environment.
If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to me directly. I'm including a powerpoint we're using with students.
With Gratitude,
Stacy and Tara
J.R. Lowell Elementary School
123 Lowell Ave.
Watertown, Ma 02472
Phone: 1-617-926-7770
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JRLowellElementary
Website: https://watertownjrlowell.ss19.sharpschool.com/
Principal: Stacy Phelan
stacy.phelan@watertown.k12.ma.us
Assistant Principal: Tara Rufo
Administrative Assistant: Kara Flynn
kara.flynn@watertown.k12.ma.us
Receptionist: Jim Swift
james.swift@watertown.k12.ma.us
Nurse: Kristen Thibodeau
kristen.thibodeau@watertown.k12.ma.us
Guidance Pre-K - 2: Melina Jacovides
melina.jacovides@watertown.k12.ma.us
Guidance 3-5: Brian Connors
brian.connors@watertown.k12.ma.us
School Psychologist: Kelley Starrett
kelley.cochrane@watertown.k12.ma.us
Special Education Team Chair: Greg Roberts
gregory.roberts@watertown.k12.ma.us
LEDP Site Coordinator: Adam Vachon