Countrywood Primary Center welcomed back their furry friend, Cutch, a golden retriever, and his owner, Susan Semple, for May’s Mental Health Awareness Month. Cutch is a 12-year-old certified therapy dog with Therapy Dogs International. The duo has been visiting Countrywood for many years, and the students are always so excited to see him! He teaches the students all about love, compassion, and happiness. 

All classes are able to visit Cutch and learn more about how animals help humans in many ways. Cutch loves to lie down and let the students pet him while Susan teaches them about how dogs can provide support and comfort as well as calm people with anxiety. The children are always so eager to pet Cutch and tell their own stories about their own pets as well as ask lots of questions. 

Assistant principal Kellie Njenga talked about how important it is for even the youngest students to learn about strategies to help them when they are struggling. “I think everyone is aware that even kids this young could use mental health strategies and coping mechanisms and everything.” She added, “Because if you're not available for learning because you’re feeling anxious, you're not going to learn.  So we've got to make sure that when you come through these school doors, you're happy, you're well fed, you feel safe, you're healthy physically and mentally.” 

Ms. Njenga shared how Countrywood does a lot of different events throughout the month for Mental Health Awareness including Mindful Monday and Tuneful Tuesday, and how teachers read different books and share different resources with their students.

Thank you to Cutch and Susan for visiting Countrywood! We loved giving Cutch all the belly rubs possible!

Cutch showed the students how he sits so nicely for his owner, Susan.




 

Students had the opportunity to walk Cutch in Countrywood’s All-Purpose Room. As a therapy dog, Cutch is gentle, calm, and doesn’t pull on his leash.

The students loved being able to pet Cutch!