VESTAL, N.Y. (WBNG) — International Mental Health Awareness Week starts at the beginning of May, but teachers and staff at Vestal Hills Elementary School say every day is a good day to educate kids on their mental health.
The school brought in five therapy dogs for students to pet and play with in honor of Mental Health Awareness Week. Students also learned about how the dogs can help people dealing with stress.
Kevin O’Brien, the owner of therapy dog Maverick, said his dog once helped a paralyzed girl in a pediatric ward find peace.
“And I actually met her mother years later. And she recovered. She was paralyzed, actually. And she recovered. And met her mother at a school. She was worked at one of the schools. And she told me that it made the world of difference,” O’Brien said.
Before this year, Vestal Hills only observed International Mental Health Day. Principal Cathy Willis noticed the challenges children in the digital age are facing and wanted to help.
“I think there’s more challenges now. You know, they’re navigating a lot of technology and different influences. And so there are more fears out there. And we want them to embrace things that might be challenging for them, but with some strategies,” Willis said.
For some students who didn’t have any pets at home, the event was a dream come true. For Ramy Benselma, it changed his whole day.
“I think that it’s fun because school can be really boring and I actually wasn’t looking forward to coming. But now this made my day better,” Benselma said.
Vestal Hills plans to host the event again next year.
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