JCD Elementary's new therapy dog making positive difference

Being trained by Jac-Cen-Del graduate

(OSGOOD, Ind.) – A new staff member at Jac-Cen-Del Elementary is making a paw-sitive impact. 

The school’s first therapy dog, Bella, is a GoldenDoodle who recently celebrated her first birthday. 

Bella is still in training and is at school a few days a week. She will eventually be roaming the halls Mondays through Fridays. 

Principal Dee Budd is Bella’s owner and handler who has already seen the difference an emotional support animal can make at school. 

“Research shows that these dogs help students mentally and can help motivate students in the classroom to get better grades,” Budd said. 

Bella has already gravitated toward some students who have emotional or sensory needs, she said. 

“I know other schools around our area have had therapy dogs before us, but I never understood the impact until she got here,” she added. 

The principal said Bella is a normal puppy when she’s at home. But as soon as the red vest is put on, she becomes a different dog and understands her role at school.

Bella is still going through training which is being conducted by Jac-Cen-Del graduate Taylor Meyer with Tailored K9 Training. 

The dog was purchased from Brunsman Country Doodles in Sunman.