STREATOR – Streator Township High School could be getting a furry friend for their students in the a near future. On Tuesday, the district board approved of a therapy dog program funded by Streator-Area United Way. According to Executive Director for Streator United Way, Fieldcrest School District has already benefited from the program with a 75% decline in disciplinary issues at their middle school. Palm says other benefits include emotional and mental health, and physical benefits like reducing blood pressure and assist with pain management. Streator High School’s potential pup would be housed and taken care of by a staff member and brought to work daily. The board says they have their ideas of who is able to take on the responsibility and plan to create a policy specifically for a Streator United Way therapy dog.
