Pair of facility dogs will not return to Kitchener public school, concerns raised

Questions have been raised after Sheppard Public School in Kitchener learned the facility dogs known for providing critical support and comfort to students and staff will not be returning to the school this year.

Quessa and Nacho are a pair of facility dogs who have been at Sheppard since 2020.

Unlike service dogs, facility dogs provide support for groups or communities of people.

Lauren Logan, a member of the Sheppard Public School council, she was disappointed to learn the news through whispers in the hallway at the school instead of formal communication from the school’s brass.

“I was pulled aside by somebody who was very clearly told that they were not allowed to communicate this out,” said Logan.

Rochelle Barber, director of operations for National Service Dogs, explained the benefits of having a facility dog on site.

“They provide a bridge between some of the kids who are nervous around adults, the dogs bring out reading abilities with kids, they’ll lay with them, the kids will practice reading with them, it’s really lovely,” said Barber.

Barber added that, while it’s not common for there to be facility dogs at local schools, in the four years Quessa and Nacho have been at Sheppard, they have had zero complaints.

Logan and Barber will speak on behalf of all those who want the dogs to stick around for another school year at a Waterloo Region District School Board in November.