Thursday, August 17, 2023
During the August 16, 2023 Pikeland Board Meeting, members of the Board of Education were introduced to Marti. Marti is South Elementary’s newest staff member. Marti serves students, staff and community as a Professional Therapy Dog.
What does a Professional Therapy Dog do?
- Provide emotional and physical support
- Models behavior, tolerance, acceptance
- Assists with counseling lessons
- Teaches responsibility including human-animal interaction.
- Supports learning and academic success
- Provides stress relief and helps to relieve anxiety and depression
- Encourages and inspires a love of reading
- Improves the ability to trust
- Improves socialization and communication
- Models and teaches kindness and compassion
- Provides support for/addresses grief and loss issues
- Teaches appropriate touch
- Makes our students, staff, and community happy
A special thanks goes to the Pike County Mental Health Board for providing a grant and the Little Brave boosters for their donation that allowed Marti to serve South Elementary School.
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About Marti
Marti is a Certified Assistance Dog who lives with South’s School Counselor John Heafner. Marti has passed the Public Access and Skills Test prescribed by CARES, Inc. as applicable to the state laws of Illinois and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Marti works with Mr. Heafner as a Professional Therapy Dog at South Elementary School in Pittsfield, Illinois.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What kind of dog is Marti?
A: Marti is a Black Labrador Retriever. They are known for the patience and love of children.
Q: May I pet Marti?
A: Of course! Being petted is her favorite part of being a working dog. Please ask first, as she may be performing a task or doing some work.
Q: How many commands does Marti know?
A: Marti knows over 30 commands. Some of these commands she is still working on.
Q: May I give Marti a command?
A: If everyone gave Marti a command, she would be a very confused dog! Please only use the “no lick” or “no sniff” command. Mr. Heafner or the adult with the leash will be the person to give Marti her commands.
Q: Does Marti go to school everyday?
A: Yes. Marti will be at school everyday Mr. Heafner is at school. She loves working with the students at South. When it is time to put on her working vest in the morning, her tail just keeps wagging. She also goes to many public places such as restaurants and stores to practice her good behaviors. Because Marti is a certified service dog, she is able to go to all of these places and meet lots of people.
Q: How did Marti become a Certified Assistance Dog?
A: Marti first took a temperament test to prove that she was both gentle and smart. She passed with flying colors. Then she was trained by CARES, Inc. to become a professional therapy dog. Finally, Marti trained with Mr. Heafner and together they passed a “public access” test.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or would like more information about Marti and the work she does contact:
John Heafner
School Counselor
655 Clarksville Rd, Pittsfield, IL, 62363
(217) 285-2431
Learn more about Certified Professional Therapy Dog Teams or the CARES, Inc. Program
CARES, Inc.
P.O. Box 314, Concordia, KS 66901
www.caresks.com (800) 498-1077
CARES, Inc. (Canine Assistance Rehabilitation Education Services) was established in 1994 by Sarah Holbert. Since then over 1, 400 dogs both nationally and internationally. CARES dogs work in many capacities, including as disability service dogs, medic alert dogs, and professional therapy dogs. Four professional therapy dogs from CARES, Inc. currently work in Pike County Schools.