By Joshua Koch
Public Communications
Tamira Leyafmetawtafleicheng was just one of 24 students in her sophomore class at Yap Catholic High School in Ngoof, Micronesia. In 2022, her family moved to the United States and she enrolled at Kingwood High School – a campus serving thousands of students.
The magnitude of the change was overwhelming, and Leyafmetawtafleicheng found herself lost in a sea of unfamiliar faces and overwhelmed with the change. But one day everything changed.
The moment she met Cider, the comfort dog, something shifted within her. In that instant, Cider became more than just a furry friend.
“Ever since I’ve met Cider and got to know him, he’s family to me,” Leyafmetawtafleicheng said. “He’s my happy place here.”
At Kingwood High School, Cider is one of the staff, even having a photo in the yearbook.
Cider is one of 22 comfort dogs in Humble ISD and is owned by Kingwood High School lead counselor Stella Campbell.
“To hear that he’s made a difference and such an impact on someone, it’s so fulfilling,” Campbell said. “I know that he does make such an impact, so it’s important to bring him up here.”
Comfort dogs are not on campus every day but work approximately two to three times a week.
In the Summer of 2022, Campbell received a grant from the KHS annual fund to get Cider trained. The training took seven months to complete, which included in-home, in-public and on-campus training for Cider and Campbell as a handler. Training started at Lowe’s because of the noise, which mimics being on campus. Campbell was trained to calm Cider in these environments. On campus, Campbell had to show that Cider could follow commands, such as “leave it” when there was food in the hallway, and outside classrooms. Finally, Cider’s interaction with students was observed.
Cider graduated with flying colors and received a diploma, vest and a goody bag of treats.
Every comfort dog in Humble ISD goes through the same rigorous process to become certified.
Woodland Hills Elementary is the only campus in Humble ISD with two comfort dogs on staff.
Paisley May is owned by Principal Cindy Barker, while George is owned by counselor Kristin Johnson.
“They are the favorite employees,” Barker said with a laugh.
Johnson added: “When I’m walking down the hallways, the kids will ask, ‘Where’s George?’ The kids and staff love the dogs.”
The 2023-2024 school year marked George’s sixth year of service. In fact, Woodland Hills students who are heading off to middle school have had George on campus since they were Kindergarteners.
“Kids have watched George grow up,” Barker said. “Paisley is newer. The dogs really bring a level of joy, comfort and a sense of home, especially for our friends who are anxious or nervous about things.”
But the students aren’t the only ones who come to the dogs for comfort. Teachers pop in to visit George and Paisley May for a moment of calm.
“He’s a family member but now a community member too,” Johnson said.
The comfort dogs also offer the opportunity for lessons on animal safety, how to respectfully ask to pet an animal and how to properly pet a dog.
Eight Humble ISD comfort dogs have been funded through grants by the Humble ISD Education Foundation. Including Reggie, who serves on the Humble ISD Crisis Response Team.
“If a death or a disaster has impacted a campus we can go there and respond to them,” Humble ISD Student Wellness Counselor Francesca Newman said. “He is trained to respond to students and adults as needed if they are upset or emotionally vulnerable. He enjoys being with the kids, supporting them, comforting them and just being a light in their day.”
Campbell added: “I think it’s great that Humble ISD has embraced it and they welcome comfort dogs. They trust the process, trust the handlers and trust the training to prepare the dogs.”