Harlingen, TX: Therapy dog "part of counseling team" at elem school
- The end of childhood
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Oct 9, 2025, Therapy dog joins Harlingen CISD counseling team
HARLINGEN, Texas— A new therapy dog has officially joined the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District Crisis Team.
Johnny Cash, an 11-month-old Australian Shepherd-Catahoula mix, joins a team of trained mental health professionals, providing counseling, emotional, and mental support services to students and staff.
“He’s very loving and just very obedient,” said Jessica Visgtol, a Harlingen CISD Crisis Team member.
Visgtol believes that Johnny joining the team will uplift each campus and improve the school culture.
“All of the kids will be very excited and very happy,” Visgtol said. “The students [will] feel more welcome and more comfortable, as if they’re talking to the dog versus just talking to a person, and so they [will] open up more.”
Visgtol says the inspiration to welcome a district therapy dog stemmed from a recent loss she experienced.
Johnny Cash will also be a part of the counseling team at Treasure Hills Elementary School in Harlingen.
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