The Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES LoGuidice Educational Center in Fredonia has found a creative way to help students enrolled in the Alternative Education Program thrive with the help of two dogs bearing the yellow bandana of good citizenship.

Gina Myers, Alternative Education counselor at the LoGuidice Center, and Cynthia Klocko of the E2CCB Staff & Curriculum Development Division, have trained their dogs as Certified Good Citizens through the American Kennel Club and the Silver Creek Central School District Community Education Program.

Moxie, Myers’ 3-year-old Basset Mix, and Jake, Klocko’s 4-year-old Beagle, make regular visits to Alternative Education classrooms and counseling sessions, comforting the students and helping them focus on their studies.

Reaction from students in Jill Patterson’s middle school class and Patricia Trask’s high school algebra class was the same:

“I was having a rough day and Jake made me feel better,” one student said.

“Moxie helps me out,” another student added. “When I’m not feeling good, she’s there to comfort me.”

“She taught me how to focus on one thing at a time and not be all over the place,” a third student said.

According to Myers, she saw what kind of an effect a well-trained animal can have on students while working at the E2CCB Alternative Education Program located at the Baker Road satellite site in Orchard Park and wanted to introduce this innovative approach at the LoGuidice Center.

“I wanted to bring the same effect to this program, and with the support of the administration, and after getting the proper training, we were able to bring it here,” Myers said.

That happened during the 2008-09 school year for the Alternative Education Program, which is overseen by Danielle O’Connor, E2CCB director of Alternative and Special Education. Adam Padd, principal of the Alternative Education Program at the LoGuidice Center, said it was clear that Moxie’s presence had a positive impact on students and Klocko’s Beagle was trained and brought in as well. Now, the two dogs and all the students are best friends.

“We saw a difference. It was working with the kids. They’re more open to working through their issues, they’re more interested in coming to school and they’re more focused in the classroom,” Padd said.

Patterson’s yellow Labrador Retriever is in the process of being trained as well.

“It has created a relaxing atmosphere in the classroom — a friendly atmosphere,” Patterson said. “The dogs help reduce those anxiety feelings.”

According to Klocko, it has been wonderful to be able to bring Jake to the Alternative Education Program and see the positive effect he has on all the students, and she is grateful for all those involved for making the experience possible.

“It is great to see Jake working with Moxie for the benefit of our students. These two pets can really work well together,” she said.