NOCTILUCA February 2017

FEATURES Appleton, Wisconsin February 2017 Volume XXIII

Issue IV Page 5

Pets help students de-stress for finals

Appleton North students spend time with Bernie during finals week. Photo by Olivia Molter

Humane Society program brings therapy dogs to people under pressure

By Nora Ptacek

– the tree walker coonhound. Watson was a rescue from Mis- sissippi. He arrived in Wiscon- sin via the Bark Bus which, according to the Fox Valley Humane Association’s website, “travels to overcrowded shelters in 15 of the Southern United States to pick up homeless dogs. These dogs, with otherwise un- certain futures, are brought back to Wisconsin where they are assured to find their loving for- ever families.” Watson is one of the dogs who found his forever family. Although Bernie, Stan- ley, and Gus are experienced therapy dogs; some working in the airport, at elementary schools, at the mall, and with the Boys & Girls Club, Watson and Barkley are relatively new to the profession. In fact, Barkley’s visit to Appleton North was one of his first few times working. But one would not be able to tell which dogs were long time therapy dogs and which were just getting started because each is as kind as the next. It is these gentle dogs that really brighten student’s days. “This has been the best day of school I’ve had in four years,” said senior Vincent Olson as he pet one of the dogs.

Did you notice the furry visi- tors at Appleton North during fi- nals week? From pugs, to golden re- trievers, dogs of all sizes from the Fox Valley Humane As- sociation’s Therapy Dog Pro- gram were in the Career Center to help students during finals through an event organized by DECA. Bernadette (Bernie for short), Watson, Barkley, Stan- ley, and Gus all visited during the first two days of finals. But spending time at North isn’t all these therapy dogs do. Many work at multiple events from reading with kids in elemen- tary schools to visiting airports – these Therapy Dogs are hard at work. Although they work though the Fox Valley Humane Association’s program, they all have loving homes. Many, like Bernie, Watson, and Barkley are rescue dogs who went through the Association’s three part training and certification pro- gram. To enter into the program, dogs should be at least 1 year old, know basic commands, and have a calm demeanor. And if there is one trait all these dogs possess it is a gentleness that

Bernie’s kind face eases stu- dents’ stress. Photo by Addisyn Kohlbeck

More online For more pictures from the event, see www.northnoct.com.

Vincent Olson, left, and Nathan Anderson welcome Bernie, a 6-year-old Vizsla, to North during the Fox Valley Humane Asso- ciation’s Therapy Dog event during finals week. Photo by Addisyn Kohlbeck

true to Bernie. “She is always by my side,” Peterson adds as she describes Bernie’s attach- ment. The Petersons adopted Bernie when she was 2.5 years old and she has been with them since. Although the dogs do a great job of remaining calm they do get a little excited to see each other. Bernie hadn’t seen the two pugs, Stanley (8) and Gus (12) in over a year so the dogs were allowed to greet each other for a few minutes before being asked to slow back down again. Wat- son and Bernie are good friends because Peterson’s daughter, Jennifer Kitzman owns Watson She received coaching and practiced almost every day, and was eventually accepted onto the Fond du Lac Blades, a synchronized skate team. Algera traveled around the country with the Blades, competing in competitions. In 2015 Algera went unde- feated in her freestyle com- petition. “If you put in work and re- ally just make sure your mind is set on achieving your goal, you can do it,” Algera said.

wards off stress. “She’s been calm ever since we met her,” Pam Peterson, Bernie’s owner and partner said. The program started with a dog named Gizz- mo, who unfortunately passed two months ago, but now the program has about 45 teams of dogs and owners. For many students, these vis- itors are an opportunity to lift up their day or decrease their stress levels, but for others it’s an op- portunity to challenge some ner- vousness around dogs. No mat- ter the reason, all the dogs will show them love. “She’s very Sophomore Joanna Algera recently became a United States Figure Skating gold medalist. After years of practice and work, she accomplished her goal of earning a gold medal in the ice skating test event “Moves in the Field” held in Eagle River. “Moves in the Field” focus- es on the performer skating in certain patterns on the rink rather than jumps and spins, By Henry Ptacek

very gentle, the worst she would do is lick your hand,” Peterson assured. Bernie – who is, de- spite the greying snout, only 6.5 years old, loves to lick hands. She can catch students in a gig- gle as she runs her soft tongue across their hands. As if in af- firmation of the pets, she raises her paw, a request her owner explains, for a belly rub. Bernie is a Vizsla which is a Hungarian pointer dog. The Vizsla’s are af- fectionately nicknamed “Velcro dogs” because they always want to be with their owner, a nick- name Peterson confirms to be although Algera is no strang- er to freestyle events which include technical spins. She was tested through eight stages of patterns to earn her gold medal. Only three percent of peo- ple in the event even make it to the last stage, according to Algera. Algera started ice skating in Michigan, but when she moved to Appleton at age 12, she really began to put in a substantial amount of work, she said.

Figure skater Joanna Algera brings home gold in Moves in the Field event

Joanna Algera poses with the scores that earned her gold. Photo courtesy of Joanna Algera

Joanna Algera competes with the Fond du Lac Blades. Photo courtesy of Joanna Algera