He is Countrywood’s "tail-waggin’ tutor” and he teaches students all about love, compassion, and happiness. Cutch is an 11-year old golden retriever who is a certified therapy dog with Therapy Dogs International. Cutch and his owner, Susan Semple, will be visiting with kindergarten, first and second grade classes all throughout the month of May as part of Countrywood’s Mental Health Awareness activities. The popular pooch has been a welcome visitor at the primary center for the last six years. Cutch is more than happy to lie down and let students pet and poke him while Susan talks about how dogs can provide support and comfort, and calm people with anxiety.
“They all just love being around him,” said Susan. “He lets them touch him. He's never shown a bit of meanness. He brings out the good in everyone.”
As a puppy, Cutch was destined for training as a guide dog or service dog. He was the eighth puppy Susan was training for the Guide Dog Foundation. But not every dog passes training either due to things like behavioral problems that can’t be corrected, too much energy, or being easily distracted by food or other animals. In that case, they become pets and are often offered to their Puppy Raisers for adoption.
As a service dog, Cutch would have helped someone with physical disabilities, doing things like pulling a wheelchair, turning light switches on and off, opening cabinets, and retrieving or carrying things for their person. But as Susan explains it, “Cutch was not interested in doing manual labor.” So he became Susan’s first pet, and his love of just hanging out made him a perfect therapy dog. They both trained with Therapy Dogs International and became certified.
Susan was a teacher for 35 years, and after seeing how well Cutch responded to children when she took him to her local library, she knew he could bring joy to children in schools. She connected with friends at Countrywood and a sign up sheet went up for class visits with Cutch. “The principal said, ‘Don't be offended if nobody signs up.’ Well, the signup sheet went up at noon with eight slots and by 12:03 they were all filled,” said Susan. And the teachers at Countrywood wanted more. Cutch has been visiting at least once a year ever since then. He even continued his visits on Zoom during the pandemic!
Mrs. Covington and Mrs. Wilcox were happy to bring their kindergarten class to spend time with Cutch. “I think it’s important for social emotional learning,“ said Mrs. Wilcox. “It’s a nice opportunity for them to be compassionate. It releases those good feelings. It makes them feel happy. It teaches them gentleness,” said Mrs. Covington.
“He's a very loved dog,” said Susan. He sure is!