Meet Nico - Northbrook School District 27

New York City’s Comfort Dog Program, now in approximately 50 schools, has helped students boost confidence and improve academic performance through structured, emotionally supportive interactions with trained therapy dogs.

-New York Post, December 2024

Facility Dog Program

The program is designed to enhance the school environment and support student well-being. Goals include reducing anxiety, increasing motivation, providing a calming presence during stressful situations, and supporting social-emotional learning objectives.

About Nico

Nico is a professionally trained facility dog whose purpose is to support student and staff well-being, promote regulation, and provide opportunities for social-emotional growth and engagement across our schools.

A facility dog is a highly trained working dog handled by a school professional to support specific educational and therapeutic goals. Unlike a service animal (trained to assist an individual with a disability) or a therapy dog (a personal pet that volunteers with its owner), a facility dog is an official district team member who works directly to support students.

What Kind of Dog is Nico?

Nico is a Pyredoodle. That is a mix between a Standard Poodle and a Great Pyrenees.

Standard Poodle

Great Pyrenees

Nico's Training

Nico came from Canines 4 Comfort, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that matches rescued or donated dogs with trained handlers. Nico works and lives with a certified district staff handler. Nico has completed extensive training, passed a series of tests, and is both American Kennel Club (AKC) and Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certified. He continues weekly training with Canines4Comfort to build new skills and maintain his abilities.

Implementation Roadmap

Phase 1

Research
Handler training
Certifications
Board approval
Transition dog from puppy raiser to district staff

Phase 2

Pilot Launch
Assess
Begin Collecting Data

Phase 3

District-wide expansion to additional programming in each school

Phase 4

Community and cross-program integration
Analyze data

Potential Educational Activities and Impact

Behavior Intervention

Specific Activities
- Therapy dog included in BIP reward systems
- De-escalation support
Educational Impact
- Reinforce positive behavior; reduces aggression, defiance, and disruption.

School Refusal/Transition Support

Specific Activities
- Dog greets students at arrival/transitions
- Dog participate in SW sessions
Educational Impact
- Reduce transition stress, promotes belonging and positive spirit. Increase student participation and reflection in therapeutic intervention.

Speech/Language

Specific Activities
- Dog incorporated in speech therapy (commands, narration)
Educational Impact
- Promote expressive and receptive language growth.

Occupational Therapy

Specific Activities
- Brushing, opening treats, and obstacle courses
Educational Impact
- Improve motor coordination and executive functioning.

Literacy/Reading

Specific Activities
- "Reading to the Dog" sessions
- Nonjudgmental listening
Educational Impact
- Improve fluency, comprehension, and confidence, especially for reluctant readers.

Writing

Specific Activities
- Write letters/journals to the dog
- Use dog as a writing prompt
Educational Impact
- Encourage writing fluency, expressive language, and creativity.

Emotional Regulation

Specific Activities
- Calming sessions
- Self-regulation practice with dog
Educational Impact
- Reduce anxiety and dysregulation, improves access to learning.

Social Skills

Specific Activities
- Lunch, recess, or counseling groups practicing dog interactions
- Use dog with students struggling with anxiety (SM) for active participation
Educational Impact
- Build communication, conflict resolution, empathy, and teamwork skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are Nico's handlers?

Nico has two primary handlers: Heather Miehl (Director of Special Education) and Elizabeth Kramer (District Behavior Coach). In addition, there are secondary handlers who work with Nico for specific learning purposes. All handlers have been trained by Canines4Comfort, and a trained handler is with Nico at all times during school hours.

Will my child be forced to interact with Nico?

No. All interactions with Nico are completely voluntary. Your child will never be required to be in the same room as the dog.

How will the district address concerns about allergies or fear of dogs?

Students with allergies or a fear of dogs will not be required to interact with Nico. The school will take all steps necessary to ensure every student feels safe and comfortable in the learning environment.

To keep Nico and all students safe and comfortable, children are taught to:

Approach Nico calmly and gently.
Always ask the handler for permission before petting him.
Use a calm voice and body around him.
Keep human food just for humans - Nico has his own treats.
Give Nico personal space and avoid crowding him.

These expectations can easily be reviewed at home to help your child feel confident and safe around Nico.

Who should I contact if I have concerns about my child being near Nico?

Heather Miehl and Elizabeth Kramer are available to answer questions or address concerns about your child and Nico. You can reach them at:

Heather Miehl: 847-498-2610 ext. 5118 or by email
Elizabeth Kramer: 847-498-2610 ext. 5133 or by email

How can I support the facility dog program?

You can support the program by spreading positive word-of-mouth, following Nico on Instagram @d27facilitydog, and learning more about Canines4Comfort (canines4comfort.org), the organization that generously donated Nico to our district family.