Paws For Youth
Comfort · Connection · Care
Creating moments of comfort within our schools.
CUSD's partnership with Paws for Youth (Formerly Gabriel's Angels) provides opportunities for students and staff to interact with an approved animal in a safe, supportive school setting.
The program is designed around the positive role that comfort-animal visits can play in supportive environments. It is intended to complement-not replace-existing student supports and services.
A Different Kind of School Support
Sometimes a brief, positive interaction can provide a welcome pause in the school day. This program gives schools a structured way to create those moments.
Why This Program Exists
Providing support adapted to youth needs
Community Support Visits make it possible for CUSD youth to receive adapted care at any given moment in time. These flexible visits address immediate emotional and social needs, providing comfort and connection whenever and wherever youth are in need.
Comfort
Provide a calm, positive interaction during appropriate school activities and school visits.
Connection
Create opportunities for students and staff to pause, engage, and experience a welcoming interaction.
Community
Support a school culture that recognizes the importance of relationships and whole-person well-being.
Meet The Comfort Animal
Angus
Male 180 lbs
Breed: Leonberger
Birthday: July 25, 2019
Favorite Food: raw asparagus
Favorite Trick: lie down
Favorite Hobby: playing with his baby sister
PAWSitive Affirmation:
I am a good listener.
Meet The Comfort Animal
Doro
Femail
Breed: Golden Retriever
Birthday: July 25, 2019
Favorite Toy: WestPaw Frisbee
Favorite Treat: Dog Cookies
Favorite Activity: Visiting With People
Greatest Accomplishment: Becoming A Therapy Dog
Handler: Dan
Organization: Pet Partners
School Visit Requests
Request a Community Support Visit
- Fill out our Partner Intake Form. In the program selection section, select "No" for Paws for Reading (ABC) and Paws for Resilience, and "Yes" for Community Support Visit (CSV). That opens the fields for date(s), time(s), location, and visit context (testing week, grief support, celebration, etc.).
- We send the request to volunteers and therapy pets to gauge availability.
- We confirm the assigned team(s) and stay in touch through visit day.
A few things to flag for staff
Community Support visits depend on volunteer availability for the requested date and time. We try to schedule at least 2-4 weeks in advance. We work hard to recruit, but cannot always fulfill a request, especially on short timelines. The earlier a request comes in, the better.
Please also identify one staff member as the day-of-point of contact, ideally the person submitting the form.
Since we have the approved MOU with CUSD, this makes that process that much easier.
Safety, Access & Participation
Program Guidelines
CUSD Service Animal Guidelines
Complete details for related to service animals and animals in classrooms within CUSD may be found on the official board document.
CUSD Service Animal Care Plan
Complete detailed requirements for the care and provision of Service Animals and Animals in Classrooms may be found in the CUSD Service Animal Management and Care Plan below.
