A new breed of educator is helping teach Big Apple kids that anything is paws-sible.
The Department of Education’s “Comfort Dog Program” has rolled out in about 50 schools across the five boroughs — and young students are reaping the benefits of boosted confidence and better grades.
The adorable initiative, which places trained therapy pooches in classrooms, started as a pilot program in just seven schools in 2016 and is now helping hundreds of students tackle life in the classroom — and beyond.
The program is helmed by Kirsten Kinsella, a dog trainer and DOE educator since 2007, who explained that it offers targeted, tailored lesson plans spread out over approximately six weeks to assist struggling kids engage with their studies and emotions.
But to truly see the “magic,” Kinsella invited The Post into a classroom at PS 70 in the Bronx to witness it in action.
A group of five Bronx students quietly shuffled into their classroom and took their seats — the toll of the school day written on their faces.
But when Kinsella brought in “Chip,” a Shih Tzu-cross-poodle, sunken faces quickly turned to smiles.
“Who is feeling nervous? Chip is feeling nervous, too. Watch how he shakes it off, let’s shake it off with him,” Kinsella said.
The results were instantaneous, as students mimicked Chip and started shaking before erupting into laughter.
Kinsella said moving the attention away from the students and onto Chip is the first step.
“It really allows the child to open up, be motivated and takes away the fear and anxiety that they have working with groups of kids or with an adult,” she explained.
Next, a guided trick.
“Chip, roll over, roll over,” 10-year-old Augustina said as she carefully helped the pooch.
Struggling at first, Chip soon became a natural.
“If Chip can make mistakes and does better next time, I know I can, too,” Augustina, now beaming with confidence, told the group.
Kinsella said working with Chip allows students to connect to their emotions because “he can pick up on how they’re feeling.”
Chip then began a group discussion — with the help of two colored dice with questions taped to each side.
“How has Chip helped you?” Kinsella asked, reading from the die tossed by Chip’s snout.
“When I come into school I’m sometimes really tired, but spending time with Chip helps me stay motivated through the week,” Liam, 10, responded.
For less confident students, Chip can also help work through feelings of inadequacy or embarrassment.
“So, instead of it being that the child is nervous, Chip is nervous. Or if the child doesn’t recognize a letter or math solution, Chip doesn’t recognize it. Then the children help him work it out,” Kinsella said.
Chip is one of dozens of dogs being rotated through the Comfort Dog Program, which costs participating schools $1,000 per year, taken out of their school budget.
He also belongs to Kinsella, who has volunteered four of her other furry family members to the cause.
To join, handlers, typically educators, need to put their dogs through six-hour training sessions administered by the Good Dog Foundation.
The dogs also need to prove to be obedient and non-aggressive and be desensitized to school-specific distractions such as a PA system, bell or fire alarm.
Kinsella said it’s “hard work” on the dogs, so lessons are capped at 180 minutes per day.
Yoga and breathing techniques are also part of Chip’s repertoire.
“I remember when I was in the fourth grade, one test made me cry, but being with Chip made me feel confident, happy and calm,” Ben, 10, explained after a deep breathing exercise.
In September, a distressing citywide student survey — which polled 355,105 kids in K-12 — found that 51% said harassment, bullying and intimidation by classmates were common.
One young PS 70 student, Aurora, bravely confided that she was a victim of bullying and it made her “mad and sad.”
The 8-year-old said she had a class specially designed for her to learn how to “self-regulate” her thoughts, emotions and impulses.
The Comfort Dog Program can also be adapted to help with math and literacy skills.
Instead of questions to prompt an emotional response, math and reading questions can be taped to the dice, Kinsella said.
Data collected by the DOE on the program’s success is not publicly available, according to an agency spokesperson, who said it’s used for “internal tracking.”
But as long as the program exists, city kids taking on this dog-eat-dog world say they’re “confident” they’ll have the tools to survive it.
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