AIM's Facility Support Dog
In 2017, AIM announced that a four-legged companion would join the many teachers and integrated service team members working with students. Kelly, a black lab-mix trained at local service dog organization Paws and Affection, quickly became a beloved on-campus facility dog. Beyond what a typical therapy dog offers, Kelly had over 40 trained behaviors that speech and occupational therapists used to augment their sessions and further motivate students. In the summer of 2021, Kelly moved to Colorado with her primary handler, AIM's former Director of College Counseling Mike Dunn.
AIM once again partnered with Paws and Affection to bring Scoop, our current facility dog to AIM. School counselor Liz Strauss and Occupational Therapist Amy Schwab work with scoop, a 3 1/2-year-old golden retriever who works with students easing anxiety, aiding in practicing mindfulness, helping students complete tasks in occupational therapy sessions, provide motivation in learning, and even bolster confidence in reluctant readers.
You can learn more about Scoop here. And be sure to keep up with her at AIM via her Instagram account @scoop_at_aim_academy.