Kiski Area School District welcomes deaf therapy dog

The latest addition to the Kiski Area School District staff is of the four-legged variety.

Roo, a 5-month-old mixed-breed deaf rescue dog, is the district’s first full-time therapy dog.

Kiski Area Superintendent Misty Slavic said she noticed a need for a therapy dog while hearing feedback from students and staff after the district invited certified therapy dogs to visit during Children’s Grief Awareness Day on Nov. 18, 2021.

“It quickly became clear that therapy dogs provide instant stress relief. Students and staff were smiling, relaxed and, as one person described to me, (felt) ‘an overwhelming sense of relief.’ So I decided to look to adopt from a local dog shelter,” Slavic said.

Slavic is Roo’s handler and adopted Roo in late December from Tiny Cause, a nonprofit rescue in Vandergrift.

“The district does not pay for any of Roo’s care,” Slavic said.

The Roo moniker was gleaned from the word “kangeroo.” Slavic noted the dog’s small black spots on white fur could mean she is part Dalmatian, but her exact breed isn’t known.

Slavic is training with Roo with the help of Lucky Paws Pet Resort in Cranberry, and Roo already has mastered therapy dog signs such as sit, stay, come, lie down, check-in and greeting with her paw, Slavic said.

For now, Roo arrives with Slavic to school and trains several days a week at the district’s central office.

She even has her own Instagram account: @roo_the_ therapy_dog_KASD.

Roo will learn to respond to new people, things, smells and navigate the school district that includes six campuses.

Last week, Roo mingled with a few high school students.

“As she progresses, Roo will begin to make visits to the other buildings and after-school activities. I’m slowly introducing her to all of these experiences so that it becomes natural to her,” Slavic said.

Kiski Area science teacher Candice Roberts met Roo and admired the puppy’s adaptability. Roberts said Roo was unfazed by the numerous hands reaching out to pet her.

“She was taking it all in like she had been doing this for years,” Roberts said. “Her adorable face is hard to resist, and I’m sure she’ll do a great job in her new role as therapy dog.”

Kiski Area Upper Elementary Principal Brian Swartzlander said he looks forward to welcoming Roo on campus.

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A post shared by Roo KASD Therapy Dog (@roo_the_therapy_dog_kasd)

“Our district’s commitment to helping students goes beyond academics, and the addition of a therapy dog will certainly assist with the social and emotional well-being of our students,” Swartzlander said.

Upon completion of her training, Roo’s duties on campus will include giving students the confidence to read out loud (students can read to Roo), de-escalating students who might be anxious or upset by having Roo available for positive interactions, being available for doggie walks, working with students on life skills and learning how to take care of something besides themselves.

All of Roo’s vaccinations, insurance, licenses and proof of ID are available for review at the district’s central office, Slavic said.

If a student has dog allergies, Roo will be moved to an area away from the student.

A study by the Alliance of Therapy Dogs found the positive benefits of therapy dogs can include a positive mood, anti-stress effects on students, an increase in reading fluency by 12% to 30%, developing social skills, an increase in attendance, teaching empathy and proper interpersonal skills and developing stronger relationships with peers and teachers.

A veterinary exam confirmed Roo’s deafness, but the puppy has compensated just fine, said Darla Held, owner of Tiny Cause.

She added that Roo’s disability could serve as an important life lesson for students and staff.

“Because Roo is deaf, that will be a huge benefit, especially if a child has a disability or feels different. It’s about inclusion and fitting in,” Held said.

Held said she found it difficult to contain her excitement over Roo’s future, as she had to keep mum about Roo’s therapy dog gig for about a month.

“I’m still in shock about it because I never imagined I would be involved in helping Kiski get a therapy dog,” said Held, a Kiski Area High School alum.