A great deal of scientific study supports the efficacy of animal assisted interventions in helping kids and adults regulate their emotions, calm themselves when upset, and counteract general feelings of anxiety. The research also points to the positive impacts animals can have on student academic engagement which has ripple effects, potentially decreasing the frequency of absenteeism and disciplinary referrals.
For these reasons, Mount Baker Junior High School, with the support of Superintendent Sewright and the MBSD school board, started Pawsitively Baker which is our animal assisted interventions program. The program has attracted the attention of the media as well as school districts in Whatcom, Skagit, and Snohomish counties and has spread to Mount Baker High School as well as Harmony Elementary. While our program is robust in its third year of development, we still consider Pawsitively Baker to be in its nascent stages as we continue to refine and improve what we do.
For questions, or more information, please contact Mount Baker Junior High School principal, Troy Wright at (360) 383-2016 or via email at twright@mtbaker.wednet.edu.
