In this edition of Schools Rule, FOX 47's Lora Painter visits local students who are getting some "Jazz" time-- not the music, but a very special dog. Lockwood Elementary School in Eaton Rapids has a therapy dog named Jazz on campus everyday who helps make students' school days a little bit easier.
Jazz is a trained therapy dog donated by a local law enforcement officer. Jazz started her career as a narcotics dog, but now spends her days with the children and lives with the school's principal. A local veterinarian also donates her time and services in making sure Jazz is healthy and up to date on her vaccines. She helps students of all abilites get some time to reset, recharge, and get a fresh start to the day. For some students, Jazz is a calming force in a time of uncertainty and stress.
Amanda Thorn is a mother and her son Blake attends Lockwood Elementary School. She said she's seen a big improvement in Blake's behavior thanks to Jazz. "He started seeing her towards the beginning of the year for behavioral issues, "said Thorn. "And actually the end of February our middle daughter was diagnosed with leukemia. So we've been trying to keep life as normal as much as possible for our older daughter and for him and Jazz has been that normal."
MORE INFO:
http://www.erpsk12.org/ourschools/lockwood/
