NYC’s ‘Comfort Dog Program’ helps students build confidence

A new generation of teachers is helping teach Big Apple kids that anything is easy to do.

The Department for Education’s “Comfort Dog Programme” has rolled out to almost 50 schools across the five boroughs – and young pupils are reaping the benefits of increased confidence and better grades.

This adorable initiative, which places trained therapy dogs in classrooms, started as a pilot program in just seven schools in 2016 and is now helping hundreds of students deal with life in and out of the classroom.

The program is run by Kirsten Kinsella, a dog trainer and DOE teacher since 2007, who explained that it provides targeted, tailored lesson plans over about six weeks to help struggling children connect with their studies and emotions.

But to really see the “magic,” Kinsella invited The Post to a classroom at PS 70 in the Bronx so he could see it in action.

A group of five students from the Bronx quietly walked into their classroom and sat in their seats – the pain of the school day written all over their faces.

But when Kinsella brought out Shih Tzu-cross-poodle “Chip,” the frowning faces immediately turned to smiles.

“Who’s nervous? Chip is also feeling nervous. Look how he solves it, let’s solve it with him,” Kinsella said.

The results were immediate, as students copied the chip and started shaking before laughing.

Kinsella said shifting the focus from students to the chip is the first step.

“It really allows the child to open up, be inspired and takes away some of the fear and anxiety that comes with working with a group of kids or an adult,” she explained.

Next, a guided tip.

“Chip, turn, turn,” said 10-year-old Augustina, carefully helping the dog.

Struggling at first, Chip soon became a natural.

“If Chip can make mistakes and do better next time, I know I can too,” Augustina, now brimming with confidence, told the group.

Kinsella said working with Chip gives students a chance to connect with their emotions because “he can understand how they’re feeling.”

Chip then began a group discussion – with the help of two colored dice with questions taped to either side.

“How has the chip helped you?” Kinsella asked, reading the dice thrown by Chip’s snout.

Liam, 10, responded, “Sometimes I’m so tired when I come to school, but spending time with Chip helps me stay motivated all week.”

For students with low self-confidence, CHIP can also help deal with feelings of inadequacy or embarrassment.

“So, instead of the kid being nervous, Chip is nervous. Or if the child doesn’t recognize a letter or a math solution, the chip doesn’t recognize it. Then the kids help him finish it,” Kinsella said.

Chip is one of dozens of dogs being rotated through the Comfort Dog program, which costs participating schools $1,000 a year, taken out of their school budgets.

That’s also related to Kinsella, who has volunteered his four other furry family members to the task.

To join, handlers, usually teachers, must have their dogs undergo a six-hour training session administered by the Good Dog Foundation.

Dogs also need to prove obedient and non-aggressive and must be insensitive to school-specific distractions such as PA systems, bells or fire alarms.

Kinsella said it is “hard work” on the dogs, so 180 minutes of instruction is given every day.

Yoga and breathing techniques are also part of Chip’s repertoire.

“I remember when I was in fourth grade, a test made me cry, but being with Chip made me feel confident, happy, and at peace,” 10-year-old Ben explained after a deep breathing exercise.

on September, A disturbing citywide student survey — which surveyed 355,105 children in K-12 — found that 51% said harassment, bullying, and intimidation by classmates is common.

Arora, a young student from PS 70, bravely admitted that she was a victim of bullying and that it had made her “mad and sad.”

The 8-year-old said a class was designed specifically for her so she could learn to “self-regulate” her thoughts, emotions and impulses.

The Comfort Dog program can also be adapted to help with math and literacy skills.

Kinsella said that instead of questions that evoke an emotional response, math and reading questions could be taped to the dice.

Data collected by DOE on the success of the program is not publicly available, according to an agency spokesperson, who said it is used for “internal tracking.”

But as long as the program has been in existence, the city’s kids have been adapting to this dog-eat-dog world and say they’re “confident” they’ll have the tools to survive it.