Staten Island students look forward to the dog days and thats a good thing. Meet Lacie the therapy dog! [Video]

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Therapy dogs provide relaxation, help to reduce anxiety and stress and elevate mood levels. So Alaina Giudice, an occupational therapist at Tottenville Intermediate School, presented the idea of a special program to school Principal John Boyle.

Within a short time, a therapy dog program became available at the school. Dogs specially trained to work with educators and students create a positive and supportive learning environment, Giudice said.

“I have interacted with therapy dogs at my home library with my own children,” noted Giudice. “And I saw how beneficial the interactions with children and therapy dogs can be and I decided to try and bring it to our school.”

With the principal’s permission, Giudice reached out to two local agencies asking if they would be interested in visiting the school.