Not to be confused with service dogs, therapy dogs are used to provide comfort and affection to people other than their owner and/or handler who are going through a difficult time. Often, they can be found in nursing homes and hospitals, spreading love wherever they go. In this case, a therapy dog certified with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs and considered a “Canine Good Citizen” by the American Kennel Club has found his place in Harrisonburg High School.

Special Education teacher Clay Gordon is accompanied by a five-year-old golden retriever and Irish setter mix named “Bubba.” He isn’t only helpful for the kids- he provides regulation for the adults as well. Gordon believes that he follows the mission statement of the Alliance of Therapy dogs quite well; “to share joy and smiles.” “He has a keen ability of knowing when someone is not feeling well or they’re really sad,” Gordon said. In cases like these, Bubba will lay down beside them and allow them to pet until they feel better. 

Of course, all missions come with challenges. Bubba and Gordon were previously at a different school, where a certain boy wasn’t kind to the dog. According to Gordon, he still remembers that and is now nervous around people larger than his handler. Fortunately, this is typically not an issue. “My students are of small stature, so he’s not nervous around them at all,” Gordon said. In the classroom, Bubba is laid back and friendly, trotting up to visitors and accepting any love they have to give.

To Gordon, Bubba is family. He loves bringing him into the school, so that way he can be a part of it as well. The people who have met him are glad that they did. “He has a calming influence. These kids aren’t as elevated when he’s around. If they do get elevated, they’ll just go over next to him and they calm down,” Gordon said. Bubba’s general presence brings warmth to the classroom, further fulfilling his mission statement.

Sadly, dogs cannot understand human speech, although lots of owners and dog lovers wish that they could. If Bubba could understand English, Gordon would want to tell him “just that I love him, and thank you for coming into our life and making my family and even our school a better place.”