Cherry Creek School District Has A New Four-legged Member

Cherry Creek School District has a new member. His name is Riley and he is a 9-week-old black Labrador puppy. Riley will be the first therapy dog in the district.

Riley was sworn into the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office by Sheriff Tyler Brown during a ceremony on Monday.

The pup will be partnered with School Resource Officer, Deputy Adam Nardi. Together they will be assigned to and will visit all schools in unincorporated Arapahoe County and Centennial.

The school district said the puppy will work with all types of students with varying disabilities and emotional needs. Riley will bring comfort to students in times of crisis, help reduce stress and anxiety and assist those suffering with depression.

Riley joins the family alongside other therapy dogs with the Sheriff’s office. Both Rex and Zeke, both therapy dogs, are assigned to Littleton Public Schools. The therapy dogs have had great success and the county is excited to expand to other school districts.

Riley will train in basic obedience over the next year. He will then attend an American Kennel Club good citizen and intensive c;ass to become a certified therapy dog.
When he is a year old, he will begin training in scent detection for firearms..

This is probably the cutest and most ingenious idea. What do kids love and need right now? Dogs and anxiety help in these trying times. What is better than a school therapy dog? Nothing.

This is a fantastic idea and I look forward to hearing updates on Riley’s successes.