Life happens. And during a pandemic, life happens hard.
The COVID-19 pandemic’s threat to community health and the social and economic consequences are taking their toll on children and adults alike.
When children experience “life happens” overload, they can express it through their behaviors. These behaviors’ impact can negatively affect their schoolwork, friendships, relationships at home, and personal well-being.
DaSean Walker is a behavior interventionist at CD Fulkes Middle School. Walker spends his days working with students, their families, and teachers on implementing interventions that help students effectively cope with the rush of complicated feelings that can influence behaviors.
“Student lives outside of school can be complicated,” said Walker. “Grief, unemployment, and isolation are prominent and stressful issues in our student’s households. Behavior intervention techniques give students the tools they need to recalibrate, assign their focus to coming to school, being respectful, and practice optimism.”
Students who visit Walker may be experiencing anger or anxiety. Round Rock ISD police department behavioral therapy dog, Piper, steps in to fulfill her role as a calming influence and stimulate productive conversations.
Officer Lisa Cleere is Piper’s, a chocolate Labradoodle, trainer, and handler. “Even before the pandemic, mental health was a prominent community issue,” said Officer Cleere. “We are here to provide students prevention, and issues management solutions, not punishment. Dogs make people happy; they promote self-esteem and can produce positive student school interactions.”
The Round Rock ISD police department is the first in Central Texas and the second in the State to serve students using a behavioral therapy dog.
Round Rock ISD has two behavior interventionists on the middle school level and 17 at elementary schools throughout the District.
