Meet Jake and Annie - Northview School

Jake, a Labrador Retriever, was Iredell-Statesville Schools' one and only Certified Therapy Dog and he recently retired from the school district after 9 years of service. Jake worked primarily at Northview Academy, but traveled to other schools and made visits throughout the community. He was always accompanied by his "handler," Mr. Billy Manners. These two were inseparable, but that was part of their training. Jake joined the staff at Northview during the 2018-2019 school year. Everyone LOVED Jake and many have asked about his story, what he did to help students, and even how they could help. Be sure to check out the video at the bottom of the page.

How Did Jake Help?

He helped get students in the school by greeting them as they arrived each day.
Students built a relationship with Jake which helped increase student attendance because they wanted to come to school to see him.
Students chose "time with Jake" as their earned reward for making good choices and good behavior.
He could dissolve an emotional or behavioral crisis in a matter of minutes.
Reading with Jake increased confidence and courage for struggling or hesitant readers.
Jake's presence allowed us to see unprecedented changes in behavior and mood in our students.
Jake's visible scars and signs of abuse enabled students to open up and share their own stories of abuse with him and adults.
Students built a trust relationship with Jake which then, in turn, led to better trust relationships with the adults at school.
Jake's presence in a room, could in itself, change the atmosphere.
Jake visited with hospitalized students and staff.
His display of obedience sparked conversations and lessons with the students about their own obedience/disobedience.
Caring for Jake started conversations with students about their own responsibility of self-care and hygiene.
Jake's presence encouraged good problem-solving habits in students as they strived to make good choices.
Students looked forward to Jake checking in on them and their class daily.
Jake checked on students and classes in other Iredell-Statesville Schools too.

Golden Retriever with children and adults

Jake's Story

The students at Northview demonstrated a need for a non-traditional intervention to help them regulate their emotions and increase their motivation to learn. We kept finding research that supported the fact that therapy dogs ease anxiety, social and emotional challenges, and isolation for students. In 2017, after a lot of research, the team was convinced that therapy animals can be instrumental in assisting people who struggle with regulating their emotions as well as being effective in increasing reading motivation. After several community businesses, agencies and individuals partnered with us to support education for our students in a non-traditional manner, the School Board approved our request to find a therapy animal. The search began to find the perfect animal.

We were led to the Humane Society of Catawba County. After surveying more than 100 dogs to see which ones had the temperament and appeal to become a therapy dog, Andy Hannelin and his DogsByAndy crew, narrowed our search down to 3 dogs, and we enlisted the help of one of our students in making the final selection. He chose Jake! Jake had been rescued from a life of abuse and brought to the shelter. He was underweight and had clearly been mistreated and abused including having a bucket of hot tar dumped on him. Unfortunately, Jake's story has a strong correlation to the stories of many of our students. After several months of intense training, Jake was ready to join us at Northview.

Golden Retriever and with children and adults

Many students identify with Jake's early experiences in life. He was abused, unloved, and locked up. His life changed when someone took an interest in him! Jake is a survivor! He, like many of our students, has overcome tremendous obstacles in his young life. To our students, Jake is a symbol of hope that we too sometimes need a rescuer and need caring people in our lives.

Jake's Corner

Jake's Goals

Jake loved meeting new people. He looked forward to building relationships and partnerships in the community.

Jake always strived to intervene staff or students that were in crisis and assist in a way that only a furry friend can!
He participated in several area 5K events to help build relationships in the community.
He had requests for school visits from schools within Iredell-Statesville as well as from schools outside the district.

Jake's Supporters

We'd like to acknowledge and thank the community for your support in helping to make getting Jake a reality for our students!

Dogs By Andy - assisted with expenses of training a therapy dog
Partners Behavioral Health Care - initial funding to start discussions about Jake
Food Lion FEEDS - donated gift card to go towards food for his first year
Dale Jr. Foundation - monetary donation to assist in the costs of owning and caring for a therapy dog
Dr. Chip Cooney and Animal Hospital of Statesville - official veterinarian for Jake giving him annual exams and shots free of charge
Ms. Ashley Cannon - monetary donation for additional expenses

How can I help?

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