The South Allegheny School District is welcoming a four-legged friend to its hallways.
Gladdy is a Certified Therapy Dog that will help support student wellness throughout the district.
The Cavapoo will officially join the district in late November/early December and will be taken care of by Superintendent David McDonald.
Gladdy “will provide emotional support and comfort to students across all SA schools, serving as a unique resource to help reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and foster a positive school environment. His presence will enhance the comprehensive support services the district already provides.”
“Kids are living 24/7 lives so, we’re trying to build a school that they’re running into and not running out of and they want to be there with the programs that we offer and this is just one additional layer of support for our kids,” McDonald tells KDKA Radio.
McDonald adds he witnessed what the emotional support dogs did for some very sick kids at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and decided his district could use a little emotional support and comfort.
Gladdy is currently in the final phase of his training before he joins the staff and students at South Allegheny.