Blind students love these dog days
"It's a gift, it's not something you can teach," Terri Werner, an art teacher at the Perkins School for the Blind, says of her dog Garnet, as she stands in the stately brick chapel of the Howe Building on campus and looks down at the handsome German shepherd.
Garnet's "gift" is helping anyone in need. And it seems that the more in need the students are at the 175-year-old school in Watertown, the better the dog. Recently Garnet was honored for her work as a therapy dog and received a medal from the American Kennel Club. She was treated to songs, testimonials, and hugs from dozens of young people who are visually impaired or blind and, in some cases, also have other disabilities. It was a fitting tribute to a dog who seems to have gone above the call of duty.
"I met Garnet two years ago," said Randy Bellavance, 19, "and what I've noticed about her is that she treats us all like we're her kids. It's a really comforting feeling to know she's there for us." He said Garnet, who comes to the school four days a week, has brightened many rough days for him, a thought echoed by other students.
"Garnet, in my opinion, of all the service dogs I've seen, you're the best," Gerard Landry, 19, told his classmates at the tribute. And when Garnet spontaneously barked, Landry turned toward her, laughing, and said, "You're welcome."
Shante Kelly, 15, Chastity Daniels, 17, and Adrianna Ritacco, 21, sung Garnet an original composition: "She helps us when we're feeling sad/She helps us when we're feeling bad/. . . She's calm and soft and always there/That's Garnet in the art and music class."
Stephen Yerardi, 21, the student council president, placed the American Kennel Club medal around Garnet's neck, and the dog enthusiastically unwrapped a squeaky toy. Daniel Nordin, 18, serenaded her on piano with James Taylor's "You've Got a Friend."
The students differ on Garnet's talents: Those in wheelchairs recount throwing the ball and having Garnet return it. But as soon as that assertion is made, several other kids object, saying that Garnet does not return the ball but makes them chase her for it.
Werner laughs and explains the discrepancy. Garnet, it seems, is always aware of each child's abilities, and she modifies her behavior accordingly. Kids in wheelchairs are given back the ball when she plays with them; kids who can run are invited to chase. It is not something she was taught, Werner points out.
Werner has trained service dogs for more than 35 years. She says Garnet's judgment amazes her. For instance, though Garnet welcomes all the students who come into the classroom each year, the 90-pound shepherd usually picks one as a favorite. It will invariably be the child with the most challenges, Werner says. The dog's role in school is, among other things, to comfort students and offer courage and motivation.
The teacher and trainer attributes some of Garnet's sensitivity to the fact that the dog has faced her own physical challenges. Garnet has respiratory problems and has been through several surgeries. Even now she remains vulnerable to pneumonia and is known for her rather messy sneezes.
For students who act out -- "tantrumming kids," Werner calls them, or kids who just can't deal with the world at the time -- Garnet has a remarkable ability to bring them serenity. "It's uncanny," Werner says. "What she is able to do is above and beyond therapy dog work."
And the depths of Garnet's abilities might not even be known. Just recently, she has started leading Perkins' staff members to believe she can detect oncoming seizures. Garnet will single out a girl who experiences them and wedge herself in by her before any activity begins. Once, the dog seemed to have been able to sense the oncoming problem when the girl was simply passing by the classroom when the door was closed. Garnet jumped at the door so insistently (a completely uncharacteristic behavior) that she was let out. Once in the hallway, the dog tracked down the girl, and sure enough, a seizure was coming on, and the now-alerted staff could prepare for it.
What is commonly referred to as "Garnet time" -- coveted one-on-one sessions -- has actually been built into the curricula of some students and used to encourage them to do things they don't want to do, like eat lunch.
So far, Werner has seen no end to the things Garnet is capable of doing for these pupils or her willingness to do them. One nonverbal student likes to touch Garnet's teeth, her ears, even her eyes, all of which the dog patiently tolerates.
In fact, Werner says, there is only one thing Garnet clearly hates to put up with -- it's the Friday rotation when Werner goes off to school without her.
