The Brunswick School Department (BSD) offers many resources to support students, particularly those who may be struggling during a challenging day. Some of our most effective resources have four legs and a tail – our therapy dogs.
Ru, short for Arugula, Elmer Glue, and Greta, are among the therapy dogs that excel at helping students and may be the most popular members of our staff.
Ru, a 5-year-old miniature schnauzer, works with his owner, Deb Belaire, a special education teacher at the junior high school. Ru joined the staff in September 2025, after completing his Canine Good Citizenship classes and becoming a Certified Therapy Dog.
Elmer Glue, a four-year-old golden retriever, has been on the job for three years, teaming with Mary Kunhardt, a special education social worker at the high school. Like Ru, he is trained and licensed to work as a therapy dog.
Greta, an 11-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, has been on the job for five years, teaming with Tracy Carrier, a school social worker at the Harriet Beecher Stowe School. Like Ru and Elmer, Greta is trained and licensed to work as a therapy dog.
Therapy dogs are on leash and under their owner's control when moving about the school.
The dogs love coming to work, and students and staff love having them, as evidenced by the energy in the hallway when a canine is around. If a student is having a rough day, feels stressed about an upcoming test, or simply wants to see a friendly face, our therapy dogs happily add some cheer to the student’s day.
While most students (and staff) love dogs and enjoy being greeted by a tail wag, Ru, Greta and Elmer Glue also excel with students who may be struggling at school.
Therapy dogs offer far more than a welcome distraction in the school hallway — they serve as a meaningful tool for supporting student mental health, emotional regulation, and academic readiness. Research supported by organizations such as the American Kennel Club and Pet Partners demonstrates that structured animal-assisted interventions can meaningfully reduce stress and anxiety, improve social connection, and foster greater well-being among students. Studies have also shown that interactions with therapy dogs can lower cortisol levels — the body's primary stress hormone — while simultaneously boosting oxytocin, the chemical associated with bonding and calm. This biological response helps explain why even brief, structured visits with a therapy dog can help students reset during difficult moments or high-pressure periods, such as standardized testing.
Beyond emotional support, therapy dogs have shown particular promise as literacy aids in educational settings. Programs like Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) have demonstrated that children who read aloud to dogs show measurable improvements in reading fluency and confidence, largely because the non-judgmental presence of an animal removes the fear of making mistakes. Therapy dogs also play a valuable role in supporting students with autism spectrum disorder and other social-emotional learning challenges, helping them build communication skills and peer relationships in a low-pressure way.
At their core, therapy dogs help transform the school environment into a more nurturing, psychologically safe space — one where students feel genuinely supported and, as a result, more ready to engage and learn. For students navigating anxiety, grief, trauma, or simply the ordinary pressures of growing up, the steady, unconditional presence of a therapy dog can make a meaningful difference in their day.
Deb shared a story about a student who is successful because they are allowed to visit Ru when upset. “Ru seems to know the kids who need the most attention,” says Deb, who notes that Ru is particularly comforting to those who don’t make friends easily.
“I see a lot of smiles in the hallway,” says Mary. “Some parents have said that Elmer is the only reason their student comes to school.”
Interestingly, the dogs also teach social skills. By observing a dog’s reaction to something they may dislike, students learn about reading social cues. For example, if Ru walks away during a long interaction, the student learns that dogs, like people, get tired and may need a break.
Therapy dogs also strengthen community connections within the schools. It’s common to see students from different classes, clubs, and friend groups petting one of our therapy dogs at the same time. These students may not otherwise have any contact or connection with each other.
John Grogan, author of "Marley & Me," said, "It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them."
At the Brunswick School Department, they do that and so much more.
