Each year at SFHS students face changes and developments, whether it’s new teachers, classes, or improvements within the school itself.

This year St. Francis Area Schools have joined other schools across Minnesota by partnering with the You’re Not Alone non-profit organization, to bring a therapy dog into St. Francis High School. Shelby is the name of the golden retriever that will be supporting students with their mental health.

“Our goal is to support students and be there and let them know that they are not alone,” said Shelby’s owner/trainer Vicki Lawry.

This program has been available every Monday during Saints Time. Students must get approval from their counselor to have a session with Shelby.

 The almost four-year-old dog started her training at six months old and with the help of her owner and passed the therapy dog test when she was a year and a half years old.

“Time with a therapy dog relaxes a person,” said Lawry, “it also offers stability in a chaotic world.”

The way this works is actually fairly simple, a group of students (typically between 8 and 10 at a time) will sit in a circle and first greet Shelby, then students will simply spend time with her. Each session lasts 10 minutes.

“Sometimes she (Shelby) will lay by a student that may be struggling whether it’s with mental health or even just a cold,” said Lawry.

Research has shown that dogs can lower blood pressure and cortisol levels when stressed. They provide a sense of comfort which for a lot of students is essential for getting through stressful times, like high school and physical and social development.

So far Shelby has helped students at SFHS show a great improvement in their mental health, and has also helped in other schools in the district.

“Dogs offer that unconditional love that a lot of people need in their lives,” said Lawry,”and that is exactly what Shelby is here for.”