Calais Alumna Profile: Heather McGuire

Heather attended The Calais School from 2016 to 2020, where she received the counseling support she needed to work through the loss of her father and learn to manage her anxiety. “Calais helped me be successful and especially gave me the confidence and skills I need to thrive in the world. I knew I wanted to give back.”

Little did she know that in the two short years after graduating from Calais she would be returning to her alma mater in a new capacity. In 2022 she became a therapy dog handler on the school’s Animal Assisted Interventions team. And the rest as they say, is history. “Coming back to Calais as a Therapy Dog Handler has been absolutely amazing, I got Bella at 8 weeks old and trained her until she was a year old and throughout my time at Calais I worked on training Bella in honor of my dad. I spent a long time working with her and was very dedicated and Calais helped me follow the dream.”

Heather and Bella work with students in different related services, and counseling sessions. She says she loves seeing how much they accomplish and how their faces light up whenever they see Bella.

The school’s therapy dogs help with so many different things, and have such a huge impact on everyone. “I love when students tell me how much they love the dog and how it makes them feel. All of this makes me happy because it confirms how important the dogs are to the students- just having them near means a lot.”

When asked about the decision to bring Heather on as an employee, Calais Executive Director John Cohrs explained, “Bringing Heather onto our Animal Assisted Interventions team has been an invaluable decision. Her embodiment of the Calais Method not only enriches our program but also serves as a testament to the transformative power of the Calais School. Through her dedication, our students experience support and connection in a unique and profound way, showcasing the enduring impact of investing in our alumni.”

Calais Animal Assisted Interventions Program Coordinator Tiffany Shevchik also shared her thoughts on Heather’s capacity as a therapy dog handler, “She is a compassionate, knowledgeable therapy dog handler who provides comfort and inspiration to our students. Not only does Heather have a strong bond with her therapy dog Bella, she also has formed trusted relationships with the students as well as the staff. Heather has a sparkle about her that shines bright with all who have the privilege to work with her at The Calais School.”

Heather’s experience as a student at Calais allows her to identify with her students in an empathetic way. Facilitating Bella’s connection with each student is one of her greatest joys. Heather expressed deep pride in herself and Bella for their collective achievements, spanning not only their time at Calais but also their journey through the years. We’re excited to see what this special duo will achieve next!