By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
Even though “Bodey” has been at Millikin Elementary School in Geneseo for a short time, his owner, Jennifer Snodgrass, a special education teacher at Millikin, has already seen the benefits of having him in the building.
“Bodey,” a therapy dog who now spends his days at Millikin Elementary in Geneseo when classes are in session, is photographed with students Mia Dyer, Oliver Holeman; and Jennifer Snodgrass, teacher at Millikin and Bodey’s owner; and students Titus Fahner and Trey Dewey.
“Bodey,” a 14-month-old Mini Newfypoo, who makes his home with Jennifer and her husband, Justin, began attending training sessions in February of 2023 at Legacy Therapy Dogs, where he successfully completed both basic and advanced training. He passed the Canine Good Citizen test and continued his education to become a certified therapy dog. After completing his supervised hours in November, “Bodey” began attending Millikin School with Snodgrass shortly after Thanksgiving break.
Snodgrass said “Bodey” has made a positive impact at Millikin “by greeting students in the morning, providing comfort to those feeling anxious or hesitant about entering school. His presence has been particularly helpful in creating a calm atmosphere, reducing stress, and assisting with emotional regulation among students.”
She said “Bodey” also at times has been present in the gym during morning supervision and at recess…”He has helped de-escalate situations and supports students in transitioning back to class.”
Snodgrass is responsible for “Bodey” throughout the school day, as a result of the extensive training that the two with through together….”We do push into classrooms during the day and ‘Bodey’ attends fifth grade math class daily. If a classroom requests ‘Bodey’ for time in the classroom, we make time work in the schedule. He also does many walks through when I pick up kids from classrooms.”
“Bodey” remains at Millikin for either the entire day or for a half-day, and on Tuesdays, he is at school for a half-day, as he has training on Tuesday nights and Snodgrass added, “So he isn’t too tired for training.”
Throughout the school day, “Bodey” has assisted students needing mental breaks, and has even served as a patient listener during story time, Snodgrass added…”His calming presence has not only been a benefit to the students, but also has had a positive impact on staff. Watching a once-apprehensive child smile while walking ‘Bodey’ down the hall or seeing a distressed student quickly become calm in his presence has been incredibly rewarding.”
It was a friend who inspired Snodgrass to have “Bodey” go through training to become a therapy dog…”A good friend of mine who is a school counselor has a therapy dog in the Chicago land area,” she explained. “She inspired me to have ‘Bodey’ go through the training to become a therapy dog as well.”
She added, “I also see the emotions of many children at school on a daily basis that can be just a little sadness or unsettled to big emotions to where students need to take a break from the classroom setting…I could see how a therapy dog could be beneficial at our school setting.”
“Bodey” has made a significant difference at Millikin, Snodgrass said, and added that she looks forward to seeing how he continues to help students “regulate their emotions and succeed in school.”
