Dear Woodward Parents and Guardians,
I am writing to share some exciting news with our Woodward community. One of our staff members, Mrs. Beth Murphy, and her dog Archie are a certified therapy dog team.
Our district has a strong connection with Bright Spot Therapy Dogs. Michelle Karb, Principal of Melican Middle School, has been involved with Bright Spot for over 10 years and now serves as its Executive Director. She also supports our district as a trainer for therapy dog teams and has helped bring certified therapy dogs into each of our schools.
Mrs. Murphy and Archie have completed an extensive training process through Bright Spot Therapy Dogs. This included basic obedience, therapy dog certification, and six months of supervised training in public settings. Archie has also received all required medical clearances and is up to date on vaccinations.
Archie will spend most of his time with Mrs. Murphy as part of her regular schedule, but there may also be opportunities for students to interact with him in small groups, in the hallways, or in the main office.
We understand that some students may have allergies or may not feel comfortable around dogs. Archie is a doodle breed and considered hypoallergenic; however, if your child has an allergy or a concern, please reach out to Nurse Kiley or your child’s teacher so we can put a plan in place to ensure their comfort.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Nurse Kiley or me.
Sincerely,
Mr. Mucci
