Bella's Buddies Inc.

Highly-trained canine facility candidates are trained for schools, hospitals and community organizations using teacher foster and student-involved training to enrich the learning environment. After successfully completing the K9U program, canine graduates are donated to schools, hospitals, VA facilities and organizations that serve in low socioeconomic and at-risk communities.

Members of the DogSquad work in K-12 classrooms, helping kids with special needs in speech therapy, occupational therapy, and even reading! The DogSquad offers students the chance to make a mistake without judgment or correction. We also help with behavior support in the areas of bullying, completing tasks and self-worth. Our one-of-a-kind K9U program focuses specifically on utilizing teachers, students and dogs in training to create a symbiotic relationship in which all stakeholders can benefit. Teachers foster dogs in training and the K9s go to school with them each day. Students earn time with the dogs to teach them basic obedience and tricks, increasing difficulty as the year progresses. School administrators, counselors and teachers have found that the overall campus climate is greatly improved when a dog is on campus. Students report less test anxiety and improved concentration during assignments. Attendance and test scores increase, as does student participation in extra curricular activities and class discussions.

Our canine buddies help in various health-related environments. They can often be found comforting patients young and old in hospitals and nursing facilities. They even make house calls. Some of our puppies have grown up to be VIPs in their families, alerting mom when she is needed in another room or keeping grandma safe. The DogSquad has helped with grief and crisis support, Hospice needs and in physical therapy labs where they aid in mobility. Often, Bella's Buddies can be found in homes for the elderly where they bring joy to patients and staff. Cadets from the Corps of Cadets Squadron 6 ROTC program at Texas A&M volunteer with us throughout the year, taking the dogs to visit elderly veterans in the College Station community, swapping stories and "good bull" with longtime Old Ags.

All dogs in training respond to schools in crisis. The DogSquad visits campuses across the Brazos Valley when there is a tragic loss to work with counselors and staff as school communities navigate the grief process. The DogSquad helps the Corps of Cadets during finals week and is on campus during Holiday on the Quad every year for the last 8 years.

Testimonials

"One of my students is deaf/blind. If Presley doesn't walk her down the hallway, she has to hold an adult's hand. Presley helps her to be more independent. With Presley, my students are all able to stay in a line while we move throughout our campus. He calms students who are upset by lying across or near them. When not in school, Presley attends church, goes to dr appts and on outings with our family. He is partnered with my daughter who is also one of my students, Presley sticks by her when we are in public to keep her safe. He does his job at school and at home fantastically!" -- Brazos Valley Special Needs Teacher

"A parent stopped by to discuss a student's personal situation with me. Peaches did what she is so good at; she coomforted the parent and created a calm environment so that we could have an open and honest conversation so we could work as a team to help the student. Peaches particcipates in pep rallies and she rides the bus with students. She rotates between campuses, greeting staff and students. She has been a perfect fit for our school! The students come to the office just to get their daily dose of Peaches! She is literally the Faculty Member of the Year! She has created a positive and supportive environment just by being available. She has made all the difference.: -- Brazos Valley High School Counselor

"Ramsey spends most of his day in the resourse classroom. He greets car riders every. morning and brightens the kids' day when they get to walk by and pet him. He eases anxiety for students when they first arrive at school. He loves to encourage staff and he makes everyone smile. I think he helps in ways humans can't understand." -- Brazos Valley Special Needs Teacher

Texas Country Reporter is airing a story on our organization this fall. They came and spent the day at school with the DogSquad! You are welcome anytime at Buffalo ISD!

Schools report higher attendance, reduced discipline referrals and a 9% increase in state math scores when a dog is in the room.

We are happy to provide more testimonials. KBTX-TV did a story on the DogSquad during the pandemic that won an award :)

Please see on Instagram: lowry_Aviators to take a look at Liberty! (Denver Public Schools)

You can also see Jasper.THSfacilitydog on Facebook (Temple HS)