We have had so many great guests over the last month in our Bridge Class. They have touched us in a variety of ways. Today we had a visit from a therapist, Callie the therapy dog.
Callie is trained to snuggle up to children as they struggle to learn to read or become better readers. She provides a calm, safe, and encouraging place for them to grow in their skills. My students, of course, enjoyed having an animal in our classroom. They loved watching her and petting her soft fur.
What touched me, however, was how simple and profound her presence was with the children. Callie doesn't need to say just the right words, she doesn't need to teach anything, she has no judgment or criticism, she just unconditionally loves and supports. The same was true of her owner. I told Jan, Callie's owner, I felt as though I had spent time on a counselor's sofa, relaxed in a steam room, and had a massage in the last thirty minutes! Both Callie and Jan, are so calming.
Sometimes all we need to be is a calming and accepting presence with a friend, no matter what their challenge is. I feel more and more convicted that we need to let go of our fears and insecurities about supporting people with different struggles than our own and just be present to listen, to love, and to support.
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