Marseilles Elementary therapy dog makes progress

MARSEILLES – The therapy dog that was donated to the Marseilles Elementary School District is progressing well with her training. Sunni, a female Goldendoodle that was given to the district by the United Way of Eastern LaSalle County, passed her first major test of her training. The American Kennel Club “Canine Good Citizen Test” measures ten skills, including being accepting to strangers and following basic commands. Superintendent Brenda Donahue said that Sunni spends most of her day in the student services office, although she has on occasion had some student interaction. Once she completes her training, she will be one of the tools the staff can use to help students in crisis.
Donahue noted that her handlers are a husband and wife who both work in the district. Sunni is very calm and will sit by individuals if she senses stress.
The United Way pays for all of her training and also partnered with Novak-Rinker Vets for all of her puppy vaccinations, spay and yearly exams.