Classroom is going to the dogs; kids, teacher love it
'When she's here, I feel better.' - Avery Klinshaw, 8
By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers STUDY BUDDY- Nicci, a 3-year-old Labrador belonging to Dos Caminos Elementary School third-grade teacher Shannon Coletti, is a trained therapy dog who makes regular visits to the Camarillo classroom. Coletti said the lovable pooch helps encourage the children to improve their reading and problem-solving skills.

Shannon Coletti has discovered a distinctive way to teach her students at Dos Caminos Elementary School.

Coletti brings her 3-year-old Labrador retriever, Nicci, to class every Friday.

Nicci is a certified therapy dog whose calming and nurturing influence helps students learn.

"She's a special dog doing special things with kids," Coletti said.

The children don't play with the dog; serious learning goes on in this third-grade classroom.

"She's not interrupting their learning. She helps their learning," said the veteran teacher and mother of three.

The students read to their class mascot, and Coletti said their self-esteem soars when Nicci is around. When students feel good about themselves, the teacher said, new challenges come more easily.

Avery Klinshaw said she's never been afraid of Nicci. "We love her," the 8-year-old said. "When she's here, I feel better."

The idea to own and train a therapy dog came to Coletti during one of her family's many trips to Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA, where her oldest son, Mario, undergoes treatments for a heart defect. While at the children's hospital, the family began discussing what would make Mario and the other children feel better, and the idea to train a therapy dog was born.

Coletti found a website that would help her train and certify Nicci. The family dog completed training in December and now wears a gray vest and has an identification card certifying her as a therapy dog. Nicci can visit nursing homes, hospitals and other places where her warm presence is welcome and considered therapeutic.

In the meantime, the pregnant Labrador, due on Feb. 19, works her canine magic on Coletti's students every week.

Coletti asked her students recently which of them concentrates better when Nicci comes to school. Jason Summa was the first to raise his hand.

"I do; I do," said the energetic 8-year-old boy, wearing a shirt reading "15 Ways to Annoy Your Parents."

Jason happily explained to a visitor the puppy calendar the class had made to count down the days till the birth of Nicci's puppies. Good homes are lined up for each puppy, Coletti said.

Nicci is not allowed to roam the school but must stay on a leash and in Coletti's presence at all times. During recess and lunch, Coletti takes her for a walk around campus. The dog is trained to remain obedient even when she is in close proximity to food or excited children. Both behaviors are difficult for a dog to learn, Coletti said.

During her training Nicci learned not only basic commands but also how to behave so that adults and children feel loved and not threatened or rejected.

"It's rewarding to walk down the lunch line and say (to students) 'Give her a pat' or 'Tell her you love her' and watch their eyes light up," Coletti said.

When teachers want to reward their students for good behavior they sometimes invite Nicci to their classrooms. The students learn about dog training and safety; they get to put a dog biscuit on Nicci's nose, give a command and watch her flip the biscuit into the air and catch it in her mouth.

Nicci also knows how to jump through a hula hoop and dance on command. Sometimes students suggest new tricks, and Coletti helps them figure out how to teach the dog.

The training exercises help the students develop problemsolving skills.

The students aren't the only ones learning. Coletti is working on a master's degree, and Nicci is getting an advanced therapy dog degree, called a ThD.

The additional training will reveal Nicci's strengths and her new goals as a therapy dog.

"It's been really inspirational," Coletti said of her dog. "Everyone's learning; that's the key- we want the learning to always continue and the motivation with it."