Just like people, therapy dogs eventually reach a well-earned moment to slow down and enjoy life beyond their working days. For our sweet Bella—a cherished Calais-Certified therapy dog—that time has arrived, and we’re celebrating all the love and comfort she’s shared along the way. 

After years of supporting students with her gentle, playful personality, Bella is stepping into a well-earned retirement. Heather McGuire, Bella’s Calais-Certified handler, reflects on Bella’s impact and the meaningful work they shared.

From the beginning, Bella had a gift for helping students feel safe. “Bella is a very goofy and lovable therapy dog,” Heather shared. “Her gentle demeanor made it easy for students to feel comfortable with her. Together, we were able to work with each student individually and work on their goals to help them become successful.”

A huge part of Bella’s work happened during morning and afternoon greetings, speech therapy, reading remediation, counseling, as well as OT and PT sessions. As always, each activity was designed around student-specific goals – using obstacle courses, interactive games, card games, choosing words or sentences for students to build with, and countless other personalized activities that made learning engaging and emotionally supported.

 “We always came up with fun, different activities depending on the student’s goals,” Heather explained. “Bella loved being part of all of it.”

It was Bella’s natural intuition, though, that made her truly special. “She had a way of knowing when students needed her,” Heather said. “She could calm them down and make them smile.” Whether offering quiet grounding or a burst of joyful silliness, Bella brought comfort and connection into every room she walked into.

But the early days of training weren’t always easy. “When Bella and I first started, I had no clue how I was going to teach her all of the task work or how to integrate her into sessions,” Heather admitted. “The Calais Method helped me better understand how to make her more comfortable while acclimating her to the building.”

Through The Calais Method, Heather learned to read Bella’s body language, advocate for her needs, and support her confidence — growth that transformed them into a strong, effective therapy dog team.

Working through The Calais Method also changed Heather both personally and professionally. “It helped me grow as a handler, make Bella more confident, and understand her better. It made it easier for us to work with the kids.”

For those considering therapy dog work, Heather offers meaningful advice:
“Listen and advocate for your dog. Once you advocate for what they need, you build trust and confidence — especially in stressful situations.”

Bella’s favorite part of her job was always the kids. “She would light up a room with her playful personality,” Heather recalled. “She loved doing activities with them or rolling on her back for belly rubs while she comforted a student. Every day, Bella wanted to come to work.”

Bella leaves behind a legacy of comfort, connection, and joyful learning. Her presence at The Calais School will be deeply missed — and always remembered.