Gizmo and Gadget are frequent guests of honor at TriCircle’s many events. They occupy an important space in the room and in the hearts of many.
Their human, Jen Adams, reports that Gizmo first got into therapy dog work as a puppy when he was approached by a teen on a hiking trail. “He crawled into the boy’s lap. I asked the boy if he was OK with that. He didn’t respond but started gently petting Gizmo as teardrops fell from his eyes,” she recalled. “A lady then came down the trail and asked if that was my dog. I said, ‘Yes.’ She said, ‘Your dog knows. That’s my son, and he just learned his father passed in a tragic accident.’ Ever since then, I noticed that Gizmo has an acute sense for when someone is suffering, and he immediately wants to help.”
Psychological, social and emotional issues among people are skyrocketing as we begin to process and assess the long-term effects of a global pandemic. Suicides and overdose deaths have risen sharply over the past two years. Children have been affected in countless ways, and they often suffer in silence because they do not know how to express their fears and concerns.
This 3-and-a-half-pound dog is the voice behind a new curriculum for kids called, “Gizmo’s Pawsome Guide to Mental Health.” This program is told from Gizmo’s perspective, and teaches kids in schools across America what they can do to help themselves when they feel sad, mad or worried.
“Gizmo’s Pawsome Guide to Mental Health” is currently being implemented in 100 Connecticut classrooms with more than 3,000 children. A larger rollout is planned for the upcoming academic year. The guide is also available to the public online.
The fact is that Furry Friends bring comfort and joy to people who are hurting, anxious or afraid. Gizmo and his sidekick Gadget, help people heal. Click here to follow the Facebook page called Gizmo’s Frens. Then, come meet Gizmo and Gadget at one of the upcoming TriCircle events.