Golden Retriever Provides Lift To Students With Disabilities.

I was shocked to pick up the Columbus Dispatch yesterday and see that a Golden Retriever from my street was being featured in the Metro Section.

My 2-year old Golden Retriever Lucy was crushed to find out it wasn't her.

One of my neighbors, Dan Girard, is a grade school principal of a local school. Earlier this year he went out and aquired a dog to be used at his school as a therapeutic assistant for students with disabilities. Apparently, "Boomer" is a big hit.

When students at Slate Hill Elementary say the school's newest staff member has the golden touch.

Angry? He'll listen. Sad? Cry on his shoulder. Nervous? His touch will calm you.

But his touch isn't all that's golden. His fur is, too.

Boomer was originally trained to be a guide dog for the blind. But, as often happens in large breed dogs, Boomer was found to be at risk for hip problems. So, the outfit that trained the dog donated the dog to Mr. Girard to use with kids at the school. He effect has been very positive by all accounts.

Teachers say he has been good for Slate Hill.

Children who are learning to speak English are practicing by keeping an online journal for Boomer.

A student who suffers panic attacks was able to conquer his public anxiety for a day with Boomer's help. The boy led the dog to the front of a school assembly and introduced him to all his classmates.

And Boomer's become the go-to guy for students with anger-management problems.

"Sometimes I get really bad days and I feel like I'm going to blow up," said fourth-grader Joey Goldblum, 10. "Boomer calmed me down. He's so cheerful. He lets you pet him no matter what

."

Just for the record, Lucy can "shake" and "sit" on command.