Comstock students love
seeing Aggie out and
about on campus and
enjoy petting her.
school and volunteers her time working
with students.
“Aggie just wants to be a good dog,”
Mensik said. “It’s very fulfilling for me to
use her to help kids.”
Aggie was certified through the
Alliance of Therapy Dogs, which pro-
vides testing, registration, support and
insurance for owners of therapy dogs na-
tionwide. The process includes tests and
observations of the dog’s temperament
and interactions with people, as well as
the owner’s handling ability and relation-
ship with the dog.
Mensik says Aggie’s therapeutic ben-
efits are both mental and emotional in
nature. Students dealing with conflict or
loss at home can forget about their trou-
bles, she said.
“Just seeing Aggie makes them smile,
and being with her for ten minutes
gives them this comfort and safe place,”
Mensik said.
Students look forward to seeing Aggie
so much, teachers sometimes use time
with the dog as a reward or incentive.
“She is the best dog in the world and I
would do anything for her,” one student
told Mensik during a visit.
Mensik then reminded him of his own
family dog.
“Well, second best,” he responded.
Aggie attends special events and
activities on campus and has become
somewhat of a school mascot.
“Aggie is definitely an integral part of
Comstock,” Youtt said. “She helps cement
our sense of community.” n
Dr. Lollie Mensik is a local
veterinarian who approached
the school about volunteering on
campus with a therapy dog.
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