SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Teacher Lynn Kovacich has a unique helper in her class at Barker High School in the Central Valley School District near Spokane.
Adams, a 3-year-old golden retriever, works as a therapy dog in her class of students with developmental disabilities. When Kovacich started with the district four years ago, she approached the school board for permission to find a therapy dog. A nonprofit organization that trains and matches dogs to human partners brought Adams to the school in 2009.
He helps students with their fine motor skills, while they brush him and give him treats. He helps them in physical education class and he gets them to use their muscles on walks. He also is a calming influence even for the student who used to be afraid of dogs before getting to know Adams.
___
Information from: The Spokesman-Review, http://www.spokesman.com