b'Counselors With Fur.Therapy dogs were brought to Newtown, Connecticut is their ability to be quiet. A lot of times, kids talkalmostimmediatelyafterthehorrificshootingson directly to the dog. Dogs have excellent listening skillsDecember 14, 2012 that left 20 children and six staff and they demonstrate unconditional love. They dontmembersdead.OneboyconfidedtotheGolden judge or talk back. The perfect counselor.Retrieveraboutwhathappenedinhisclassroomat Earlier this year, we had the privilege of followingSandy Hook Elementary School that day. It was more twotherapydogsandtheirhandlersSummer, athan hed been able to share with his parents. A little girl three-year-old Doberman Pinscher and Odee, a two-who hadnt spoken since the shootings finally started year-old Great Pyreneeson visits to two Tampa Baytalking to her mother again after petting one of the Area childrens hospitals. Interestingly, their birthdayscomfort dogs. are just two days apart, March 3 and 5. If you believe inThe common mistake people make in a crisis sit- astrological signs and applying the attributes to dogsuation is feeling obligated to give some sort of answer (and why not?), then the characteristics of a Pisces, ator advice, when really, those who are hurting just need least from what we witnessed, were embodied in bothto express themselves.Summer and Odee: Compassionate, adaptable, accept-The essential characteristic a therapy dog possesses ing, devoted, sensitive and loyal. (Continued on page 56)gby Anna CookePhotography by Jacqui Silla54THE NEW BARKER www.TheNewBarker.com'