It is our second year of having Therapy Dogs International, certified dogs that come into McMonagle Elementary School. The volunteers Tammy Bartz, Julie Hussar and Chris Vickerman, with their dogs, Bernard, Ruckus, Molly and Murphy, visit twice a month throughout the school year. They help our students in a variety of ways. The students read in small groups to the dogs, who offer no judgment to struggling readers as they practice reading out loud. The dogs also help students with anger issues and students that have lost a loved one. There is something about petting a therapy dog while having a heavy heart with daily struggles that can make the students feel better. The dogs create a calm, stress free, and supportive environment in the library where the sessions take place. A therapy dog can lift moods in students often provoking laughter, offer friendship and a shoulder to lean on for students, giving them emotional and mental health benefits.