AKIN
Neil Armstrong Elementary
Handler: Jodi Hanson
johanson@bettendorf.k12.ia.us
EGYPT
Grant Wood Elementary
Handler: Heather McCoy
hmccoy@bettendorf.k12.ia.us
PACIFIC
Paul Norton Elementary School
Handler: Jocelyn Kyte
jkyte@bettendorf.k12.ia.us
PAXTON
Herbert Hoover Elementary School
Handler: Kris McKissick
kmckissick@bettendorf.k12.ia.us
The Bettendorf Community School District currently has five professional therapy/certified assistance dogs working with counseling staff in the Bettendorf Community School District.
Professional Therapy Dogs
- Provide emotional and physical support
- Model good behavior, tolerance, acceptance
- Assist with counseling lessons and character education
- Teach responsibility including responsible human-animal interaction
- Support learning and academic success
- Provide stress relief and help to relieve anxiety and depression
- Encourage and inspire a love for reading
- Improve the ability to trust
- Improve socialization and communication
- Model and teach kindness and compassion
