Chillicothe Teacher Brings Therapy Dog to Brighten Students’ Day

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (AP) — A familiar furry face made his way through the halls of Chillicothe Middle and High School this week as Brutus, a certified therapy dog, joined students and staff as part of a special campus visit.

Brutus, a 2-year-old golden retriever, belongs to Mrs. Nancy Arledge, a seventh-grade math teacher at the school. Arledge said Brutus is a fully trained therapy dog, certified through Pet Partners International after a rigorous two-year training process.

"During that process, we worked on how to walk through hallways, visit hospitals, and interact with other dogs and people,” Arledge said. “It was a two-year process of training for him to receive his certification.”

This week, Brutus visited classrooms and spent time in the guidance offices, offering comfort and companionship to students.

"The board of education has allowed us to come, so we're going to visit," Arledge said. "He’s going to be in the guidance offices just as a friendly face. We all know that when you have a dog around, it just brightens your spirit and makes the day better.”

Arledge said her inspiration to have Brutus certified came from her past experiences and what she saw happening in other schools across the country.

“I’ve trained dogs since I was young in 4-H, so it’s always been something I’ve enjoyed,” she said. “I started to notice on social media how many schools had therapy dogs and the difference it made. I thought we’d try the process.”

Now, Arledge hopes Brutus can bring comfort and smiles to students throughout the school year.

“He’s going to be here with us,” she said, “and I’m so glad he can bring some joy to the students at Chillicothe Middle and High School.”