Beloved Therapy Dog Coco Visits Finley Students

J. Taylor Finley Middle School’s therapy dog made its first visit to the building this week. Coco was once again hugely popular and an overall big hit with students, teachers and staff.

“She waited eagerly to greet our students coming off buses, greeted students in the Blue Zone in the morning and students visited her during their lunch period in the library,” Finley Assistant Principal Alexis Estrada said.

Finley librarian Carmen DiBartolomeo doubles as a therapy dog handler. She helped introduce Coco to students new to the school. Most eighth graders have already met the beloved animal. Principal Traci Roethel said the visit “brought joy and comfort to our students.”

Finley school psychologist Dr. Mary DiBenedetto has said that studies have shown that therapy dogs decrease students’ overall stress levels. “Reading aloud to a therapy dog and their handler increases children’s scores on tests of oral reading fluency, much more than reading aloud to peers,” she said. “Student’s overall attendance improves when there is an in-house therapy dog. Improved concentration, attention, motivation and relaxation, which lead to effective learning and performance have been noted.”

Principal Traci Roethel said that a pair of student recognition award recipients chose to spend time with Coco as their contest prize.

Ms. DiBartolomeo is excited whenever Coco comes to the Finley library. “I really believe in supporting our students” needs and therapy dogs can do wonders for their social and emotional well-being,” she said. “Plus, reading to a therapy dog helps build confidence and makes reading fun!”