Therapy Dogs
Launch the media gallery 1 playerTherapy Dogs
Norwich
Norwich is an 18 mo old black English Labrador. He was born September 14, 2022. This was about 1 week after the passing of Queen Elizabeth so his litter was named for things “all about England.” Norwich is a city on the eastern side of England.
Norwich was selected as a puppy based on his temperament and has been trained and tested extensively from the age of 2 months to 18 months. After leaving the breeder, Norwich spent time in 2 different prison systems, (Leavenworth and Ft. Leavenworth), being trained by their inmate dog training program. He then spent 4 months from Sept to Dec of 2023 with an occupational therapist in Colorado being socially trained before being ready to be an assistance dog. He knows approximately 50 commands.
English Labs are an older line that produce better service dogs due to the fact they were bred to be water retrieving dogs and are very good at waiting until being told to do something. You will notice with Norwich, he has a blockier head, broader chest, and a flatter otter-style tail.
Norwich is super excited to be at Griggsville Perry with his handler Ms. Gates as they split the week between the middle school and the elementary school. This is a whole new setting for him and he is adjusting well. Norwich also enjoys being at home and playing with his 2 fur siblings, Sadie and Snickers
CoJack
Currently, we are also working with Mrs. Jessica Funk and CoJack. CoJack is a Bernedoodle therapy dog that visits our schools a few times a year. He spends half his day at the elementary and half his day at the middle school.
CoJack's History
CoJack was born July 31, 2019 to a breeder in Cabool, Missouri who donated him to CARES, INC to become a Professional Therapy Dog. Knowing his future, all experiences he had were to prepare him for his future. After leaving the breeder, he spent time in Tennessee to be socialized prior to professional training. Training took place with Sarah and Megan in Kansas at CARES. CoJack then spent time in two different prison systems in Missouri and Kansas where their inmate program maintained his training until the dogs in CoJack's class were ready for their forever placements. CoJack met his forever family in September 2020 and together they passed the public access test and graduated October 2, 2020.
CoJack then spent the remainder of the 2020-2021 and the 2021-2022 school year at Western Community Unit School District #12 where he interacted daily with students, staff, and families.
He now serves as a service of the Regional Office of Education #1 where he provides opportunities to districts within their region.
