Nov 22, 2017, The Missourian: Therapy Dog Brings Joy to Clark Vitt Elementary http://www.emissourian.com/therapy-dog-brings-joy-to-clark-vitt-elementary/article_17e419a6-cf95-11e7-8e4f-67907025efce.html …Xena, Eichmeyer’s specially trained therapy dog, spends every Wednesday laying with students as they read. Eichmeyer said her presence is calming and makes reading fun for her students, who are struggling with comprehension. … Eichmeyer said since Xena Eichmeyer approved to be at school the students and teachers at Clark-Vitt have embraced having Xena in their halls. She said teachers especially like Xena, as she gives them a break from the stress of the school day. “The teachers have said that when there are dogs in the building things are more relaxed and students are calmer,” Eichmeyer said. “There are a couple of teachers who bring snacks. It gives them a break from other stuff that’s going on.”…
Childhood Lost
Children today are noticeably different from previous generations, and the proof is in the news coverage we see every day. This site shows you what’s happening in schools around the world. Children are increasingly disabled and chronically ill, and the education system has to accommodate them. Things we've long associated with autism, like sensory issues, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and lack of social skills, are now problems affecting mainstream students. Blame is predictably placed on bad parenting (otherwise known as trauma from home).
Addressing mental health needs is as important as academics for modern educators. This is an unrecognized disaster. The stories here are about children who can’t learn or behave like children have always been expected to. What childhood has become is a chilling portent for the future of mankind.