Meet Georgi: Therapy dog helps Saint Philip students thrive
SMITHFIELD, R.I. (WPRI) — Georgiana may be a little dog, but she has a big heart.
Just ask her owner Sheri Lough, who brings her pup to work three days a week.
Lough, an occupational therapist at Saint Philip School, launched Cardinal CARES (Canine Assisted Resources for Emotional and Educational Skills Support) in an effort to meet the needs of her students.
Georgiana, or "Georgi," is a 4-year-old Cavachon therapy dog who's hypoallergenic and temperament tested, according to Lough.
Lough believes Georgi provides something that everyone needs — comfort and unconditional love.
"It's a sense of connection and the human-animal bond that really transcends anybody's challenges," she explained. "Georgi is part of the fabric of our community."
Georgi meets with more than two dozen students weekly. She even has her own office where students can pop by to decompress.
"Georgi is embedded in the fabric of our community," Lough said. "She breaks down barriers to help [students] be successful."
Lough said it's heartwarming to watch Georgi break down those barriers. She remembers an instance where a student who kept mostly to herself underwent a complete transformation after meeting Georgi.
"There was a select few that this one child would interact with," Lough recalled. "By the end of the year, she was talking with every classmate and every teacher."
Keith Kline, principal of Saint Philip School and a licensed occupational therapist himself, told 12 News that Cardinal C.A.R.E.S. is a proactive effort to ensure students thrive.
Kline said having Georgi at the school is "such a gift."
"In order for kids to learn, they've got to be in the right place to learn," Kline explained. "[Georgi] really helps their social and emotional skills ... so they can learn and be successful."
Kline joked that Georgi's first visit of the day is always to his office.
"She has to come in see me so I can get my Georgi fix," he said with a chuckle.
Kline said Georgi has had a positive impact on students and staff.
"She is such a blessing," he said.
So, how did Georgi wind up at Saint Philip School?
Kline said the town provided the school with the funding necessary to launch Cardinal C.A.R.E.S. He told 12 News he will do whatever it takes to keep her there once that money runs out.
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