Beau the therapy dog brings joy to Kasson-Mantorville Schools

Beau, a 2-year-old therapy dog, has quickly become a beloved member of the school community, working alongside Alyssa Swanson, a special education teacher, to bring comfort, smiles and a sense of calm to classrooms and hallways.

Beau’s journey to becoming a certified therapy dog began with six weeks of training at Leashes and Leads. After mastering the necessary skills, Beau and Swanson faced a series of exams through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.

“Once we passed the tests and Beau was given a clear bill of health certified by the vet, we were able to register as an official therapy dog team,” Swanson said.

Unlike service dogs, therapy dogs don’t have a standardized training program, but they must demonstrate specific behaviors and tasks during visits. For Beau, his naturally calm and friendly personality made him a perfect candidate.

Since earning his certification last spring, Beau has been a constant presence in Swanson’s classroom. Students have embraced him wholeheartedly.

“Beau is many students’ favorite part of their day,” Swanson said. “If I don’t bring him for any reason, the first thing I hear is, ‘Where is Beau?’ They take pride in having him in our room, helping to care for him and making sure his needs are met.”

The impact Beau has on the school environment goes beyond wagging tails and warm greetings. Swanson believes therapy dogs play a vital role in reducing stress and fostering connections.

“Beau is a calming and uplifting presence,” she said. “He brings smiles and joy to those around him. We could all use more joy in our lives, and therapy dogs, especially in school settings, help provide that.”

Teachers and staff share the enthusiasm. “The response from staff at K-M has been overwhelmingly positive,” Swanson said. “Many request visits from Beau and greet him in the halls just like the students do.”

For Swanson, the experience has been eye-opening. “This has shown me just how powerful human-animal connections can be,” she said. “His impact has far exceeded anything I could have imagined.”

When Beau isn’t busy brightening days at school, he enjoys downtime at home with Swanson’s family. He plays with their yellow lab, Ellie, and spends evenings snuggled up with the kids, sometimes even climbing to the top bunk for bedtime.

As Kasson-Mantorville continues to embrace Beau’s presence, it’s clear that this gentle, four-legged friend is more than just a therapy dog. He’s a source of comfort, joy and connection for an entire school community.