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2020
From Erika Kistowski: REMSEN — A new four-legged friend at Remsen Elementary School promises to bring a smile to any students who are having a “ruff” day.
Easton is a lovable 2-year-old Goldendoodle, a cross between a golden retriever and a poodle known for their affection, obedience and intelligence.
He will be stationed in the counseling office, where he will be working alongside his handler and owner Erika Kistowski, an elementary school counselor.
“His first day was Friday and he did outstanding,” Kistowski said. “The students loved him.”
Even before Easton’s arrival, Kistowski read to each classroom her children’s book “That Doodle Easton,” a story about a new student who is confused when greeted by a dog upon walking into his new school. Kistowski explained why she wrote the book, and told the kids about having a therapy dog at school and the rules that need to be followed.
“I couldn’t find any books about therapy dogs working in schools with school counselors and that’s when the idea popped into my head to create my own,” she said. “I have every page completed but the illustrations are still in the works so it is not published yet. I am planning on publishing it to Amazon when it is completed to help other school counselors explain their role as a school counselor and the rules of having a therapy dog at school to their students.”
Kistowski said the students loved learning about Easton and how he will help her do her job as a school counselor.
Easton has a busy schedule. He will be going right into the classrooms during monthly guidance lessons and will be available in the school counselor’s office for individual and small group counseling sessions.
Kistowski said Easton is from Toodles Doodles in Macedon. She called owner Michelle Amsler “nothing short of amazing.”
“They raise the puppies on their farm and make sure they are socialized from the very beginning,” Kistowski said. “A little fun fact about Easton is that his sister, Honey, is also a therapy dog and works with his handler/owner at a college in Rochester.”
Kistowski recalled she attended a New York State School Counseling Conference in 2021 at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, participating in a therapy dog workshop. There, she learned how to successfully incorporate a therapy dog counseling program in a school, she said.
Last school year, Lynn Clark of Remsen began volunteering at the school with her own therapy dog, Napoleon. Kistowski decided to start the process of getting Easton certified as a therapy dog himself to further help the children.
Easton was trained as a therapy dog through Hinckley-based White Star Dog Training and certified through Therapy Dogs International in Flanders, New Jersey.
He also has his American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen certificate in his credentials.
District Superintendent Tim Jenny said research shows that therapy dogs help students build better coping strategies, and their presence is found to reduce stress and anxiety, improve attendance and lead to less behavior referrals. Therapy dogs help teach empathy and social skills, increase confidence in reading and encourage students to talk about their emotions, Jenny said.
The children can interact with Easton within their own comfort levels, he added.
“While on school grounds, therapy dogs are always on a leash and accompanied by their handler,” Jenny said. “All interactions with the therapy dogs are voluntary so everyone within the building feels safe and comfortable.”
And the dog therapy isn’t just for the children, of course.
“It made my day, walking into the school and seeing him,” said preschool teacher Brittany Austin. “The students loved him.”
“Easton definitely made today the best day ever,” added elementary school secretary Amanda Kerr about Easton’s first day on the job. “He is absolutely incredible … he brought so much happiness today!”
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2021
Congratulations Carly Plaisance! The Women’s and Children’s Services (WCS) nursing team at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) were honored in November with the DAISY Team Award for Extraordinary Nurses.
The DAISY Award is an international recognition program honoring clinical excellence and outstanding compassionate care provided by nurses. SVMC, a member of Dartmouth Health, selects honorees through patient nominations.
“The nominations received for this team say it all,” said Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President for Patient Care Services Pamela Duchene, PhD, APRN. “The team embodies excellence and compassion in every interaction, providing comfort and care during what can be both an exciting and overwhelming time for new parents.”
One patient wrote: “My stay here at SVMC on the maternity floor was amazing. All of mine and my son’s nurses were on top of everything. Every question or concern that I had they were right there. The amount of support from all the nurses who filtered through during my stay here was amazing and I cannot thank them enough.”
WCS provides care for approximately 400 births per year, serving patients and families from Vermont, New York and Massachusetts.
“WCS is honored to receive the Daisy Team award,” said Mindy Dame, MS, RN, Director of WCS. “The team members have the privilege of sharing the most special moments in life with patients and families, who always speak to the compassion, empathy and knowledge of the team.”
Posted 2/21/2024
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2024
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