Staging Canary 2 (Riverdale)

Students at Mertz Middle School got a special treat this week when Josie, a friendly golden retriever therapy dog, stopped by for a visit! Josie spent time in classrooms offering comfort, wagging tails, and plenty of cuddles as students prepared for upcoming standardized tests.

The visit was part of a school-wide effort to help students manage stress and anxiety during testing season. Research shows that spending time with therapy animals can promote relaxation and improve focus — and based on the smiles around the room, Josie’s visit was a big success!

Thank you to Josie (and her handler!) for bringing a little extra calm and joy to Mertz Middle School. We can’t wait to have her back again soon!