It’s not often we bring you a story about a dog…but today that changes. Meet Murphy the Dog. Murphy is a cherished member of the school community at Saint John Vianney Catholic School in Flint where, several years ago, the teachers were brainstorming potential interventions for their students whereupon the idea of integrating a service dog arose repeatedly.
“I’d been considering getting a service dog because my asthma was really bad,” says the school’s principal, Dr. Theresa Marshall, “Then Murphy came along, and he’s been wonderful.”
A standard poodle, Murphy underwent specialized training and joined the school community during the summer of 2020. Since then, he has become a beloved presence at Saint John Vianney.
“He is very sensitive to people,” Dr. Marshall notes. “He’ll approach someone, licking them when he senses they need comfort. For instance, while observing playtime in childcare, Murphy immediately went to a particularly withdrawn boy, licking him and laying against him. I approached him and asked what was going on; he replied, ‘Yeah, but I think it’s going to be OK.’ All the while, he was petting Murphy’s head.”
The one challenge Murphy presents? Keeping track of him throughout the school day.
“Some teachers have a doggy bed in their classrooms, allowing students to earn time with him as a reward,” Dr. Marshall explains. “I often lose track of where he is during the day and have to page staff to bring him back to my office.”
