Assistant Education Director at Loving School at SFCH Erin Schons has a very special sidekick.

Katie, her golden retriever, comes to school on Wednesdays for library time. “The kids love her, and she loves the kids,” says Erin. “I have also gotten disappointed faces from staff when Katie is not at school on a Wednesday.”

“When she’s not in the library with the kids, she is the hall monitor right outside my office,” says Erin.

“She takes a nap and watches the comings and goings of students and staff all afternoon. And she never wanders far from my office.”

We know that animals can have a powerful effect on the children we serve. Erin says that one little boy had been struggling in the classroom and was brought to her office to calm down. “When he was calm, Katie laid by him and he was able to pet her. He started talking to Katie and said something to the effect of, ‘I feel safe right now.’”

If you’re in the vicinity of Erin’s office on a Wednesday, stop by and say hi to Katie!