New Clinton School Staff Member Proves to be Very Popular

As all staff returned to buildings today, there was one new staff member who was by far the most popular!

Help us welcome Hank, Clinton High School’s new professional therapy dog. Hank is a one-year-old Springer Spaniel. Hank is partnered with Clinton High School Counselor, Tara Carter.

Hank is a graduate of Cares, Inc., a service dog training organization in Concordia, KS. This organization is also where the Clinton School District’s other two dogs (Perry and Pickett), along with CHS’ previous professional therapy dog, Noble, was from. Hank’s training included months spent in two different correctional facilities. One of those was the Springfield Correctional Facility right here in Missouri and the other one was Ellsworth Correctional Facility in Ellsworth, KS. The prisons provide inmates with a chance to help train the dogs that eventually become service dogs. In addition to the professional therapy dogs, Cares also trains PTSD service dogs, diabetic alert service dogs, autism support dogs, seizure alert dogs, and other service animals that will greatly improve the lives of others with the support that they provide.

At the conclusion of Hank’s training, Mrs. Carter attended a week-long training in Kansas to prepare her and Hank to be a team and continue the great work that Noble did during his nine years as a professional therapy dog. The training even included a trip to Ellsworth Correctional Facility where they were able to take part in a graduation ceremony for the inmates that assisted in training all of the dogs.

Hank has started work at CHS and is already a hit with those that have been able to meet him! Hank will greet students each morning as they come to school, he’ll visit them in classrooms, and students will be able to visit him in the counseling office.

We our district’s professional therapy dogs and are thankful for the amazing support they offer students and staff and the many smiles they bring to faces!