NEW LONDON — Superintendent John Fortney and Principal Stephen Paterson are pleased to share that Kearsarge Regional Middle School (KRMS) is welcoming a therapy dog to one of its classrooms.
Samson, a 5-year-old allergy-friendly Labradoodle, brings two years of experience volunteering in hospital and educational settings to his new role as the 7-1 team therapy dog in Dr. Karen-Marie Scolforo’s English Language Arts classroom.
Samson provides 7-1 students an opportunity to share space, sit with him to enjoy warmth and love, and read to him without judgment. Students may distance themselves from Samson if they wish. Samson’s first day on the job was Friday, Oct. 18.
Dr. Scolforo and Samson are a registered team with the international pet therapy organization Pet Partners. To earn this designation, they completed a series of trainings and evaluations, earning the highest-level approval, complex.
Samson has also earned his Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification through the American Kennel Club, which is a 10-skill test that teaches good manners to dogs and responsible dog ownership to owners.
Samson understands a range of commands and is adept at working with new friends. He especially loves children.
At this time Samson will be limited to the 7-1 team, but may be utilized in other ways around the school as he gets settled.
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