A child’s best friend
Cecil brings comfort and joy in a time of isolation
Cecil can accurately be described as a “people dog.” “He’s been playing with kids all morning, and now he’s sitting with his head in my lap,” says his owner Christie Hartlin. “He absolutely loves attention, so when the kids are playing with him and petting him he’s 100 per cent happy.”
Hartlin is a school counsellor at Windsor Elementary and Three Mile Plains District schools, and Cecil is a furry daily fixture in her office. A Bernese mountain dog, golden retriever and poodle mix, Cecil turned three years old on April 10. While he does not have formal training as a therapy dog, his disposition is beyond reproach.
“He has a very good temperament and that’s what matters,” Hartlin says. “He’s very easy-going, gentle and friendly.”
At a time when physical affection between humans is restricted, Cecil’s presence, if not technically therapeutic, is unquestionably beneficial on an emotional level. The pandemic has been a socially and emotionally trying time for all students, Hartlin points out.
“They’re only allowed to be with the students in their own class, so they can’t hang out with their friends from other classes, even when they’re outside,” she says. “There are a lot of changes they had to go through.”
Hartlin adopted Cecil from a family in Falmouth when he was eight weeks old.
“I happened to hear about him from another teacher,” she recalls. “I went to visit the family to see him, and immediately wanted him.”
It was at the beginning of the 2020/21 school year that Hartlin began pondering the possibility of bringing Cecil to work.
“I thought this could be a great way for kids to experience affection in a way that is safe, so I decided to write a proposal to the school board,” she says.
She wrote 10-page proposal, introducing Cecil and outlining what his role would be at the schools.
“I also reached out to Dr. Strang (Chief Medical Officer) to make sure there would be no issues,” she says. “It was approved by the board and by Dr. Strang. There are very strict parameters that we have to stay within.”
Cecil remains in Hartin’s office throughout the day, unless there is a fire drill, in which case she puts him on a leash to vacate the building.
Students take a consent form home to their parents and it’s then up to the individual students whether they want to interact with Cecil.
“Some will lay on the floor and cuddle with him, some will pat him on the head, and some will just ignore him. And all of those things are fine.”
Hartlin is still doing her job as a counsellor while the students interact with Cecil. Far from being a distraction, Cecil’s presence calms the students during the sessions.
“He’s such a gentle soul, and that makes the kids more open and engaged in the process,” she says.
Group sessions can have up to five students, and they must remain physically distanced. Cecil will make the rounds and visit with each student.
“He’s very attentive,” Hartlin says. “It’s unconditional love for the kids.”