When 5th grade counselor Christine Brouillard works with students, she’s got extra help: a gentle yellow Lab named Jonesy. It’s been a year and a half since NEADS Assistance Dog Jonesy joined Chris on the staff of Mill Pond School in Westborough, MA, a period made more difficult for everyone by the Covid-19 pandemic. “Jonesy has been a blessing,” she says.
“He eagerly trots into school each day as if he knows the positive impact he will have on everyone he sees and simply cannot wait to get the party started. Whether he is comforting a crying child with love in his eyes and tissues to share, supporting students as they build academic, social, and emotional skills in the classroom, fostering new friendships with games at recess, or encouraging staff members with a ‘hello’ and wag of his tail at the end of a long day, he makes each day a better day for everyone.
“Jonesy has a way of generating smiles, laughter, and connections that make our school an even kinder, happier place to learn,” Christine tells us. “The love and happiness he brings to Mill Pond can be seen and felt throughout our entire school community.”
We love to see, and share, the impact that Assistance Dogs can have on their communities. Thanks for telling us about your partner, Chris.
