Meet the comfort dogs helping students in Seminole County Schools

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Two new important four-legged friends will join students at Greenwood Lakes Middle School and Bear Lake Elementary School: K-9 Tootsie Roll, a 1-year-old Jack Russell Terrier mix, and a 5-year-old Labrador mix called K-9 Shiloh.

Tootsie Roll and Shiloh are a part of a pilot school resource Deputy K-9 program to help relieve anxiety and stress for students. The sheriff's office says this program is a first of its kind for Central Florida.

"These dogs won't be apprehending anybody. They'll be providing kisses and hugs," Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma said.

Both dogs are graduates of the eight-week obedience training at the Paws and Stripes program operated by the Brevard County Sheriff's Office. The program was created in 2006 and has had over 300 dogs graduate, officials with the sheriff's office said.

"The science has been proven and investigations that help just break down the stress level and different anxiety that people experience," School Resource Deputy Bobby McKay, Tootsie Roll's partner, said. "The idea was to get them into the schools and create that bond, that rapport, and do great things with the kids and it helps ease everybody, from the students to the staff."

The comfort dogs will patrol hallways and classrooms throughout all Seminole County schools. Lemma says they are bridging the gap between law enforcement and students.

"It creates conversations. It has children walking up," Lemma said.

"If you guys are having a bad day, or if you need a little pick me up, we want you to come and say hi," School Resource Deputy Darren Guillereault, Shiloh's partner, said.

The school district adds the comfort dogs can also help students succeed in their studies.

"Even our struggling readers, sometimes research indicates that they actually read more fluently if they're reading to an animal rather than an adult because they know the animal is not going to correct them," Seminole County school board member Dr. Tina Calderone
said.

The dogs are getting results by helping students deal with the stresses of school.

"In just a few short days we've been on campus this year already, we've received such positive feedback and the kids absolutely love the dogs," Lemma said.

Lemma tells News 6 Shiloh and Tootsie Roll will visit schools across Seminole County. He also wants expand the program and bring on more comfort dogs.