Bernie Skelly

Hi there! My name is Bernie and I'm a Certified Therapy Dog, new to the family at Sacred Heart. Did you know that research has consistently shown that the benefits of spending time—even just five minutes—with me are huge! People who hang out me exhibit both a decrease in the stress hormone cortisol and an increase in prolactin and oxytocin, the nurturing hormones. Furthermore, research also shows that neurotransmitters that boost mood rise - while blood pressure actually lowers. Pretty cool that one (not so) little dog can do all that! 

 

I'm an 8-year old Bernadoodle and I'm certified through the Alliance for Therapy Dogs - which means I underwent a whole lot of testing to make sure I could handle all sorts of different people and situations and stay cool, calm, and collected - before I could receive my official title! My family has referred to me as the "house nanny" since the day I arrived around 12-weeks old because I jumped right in and started helping out. I am truly the happiest when I'm helping other people and now I get super excited on the days that I get to put on my Sacred Heart vest and come into school to visit with students and staff. I love to see how their light up when they see me and I particularly love when I can help someone who's having a tough day, feel better. I am honored and very proud to be a part of the Sacred Heart Student Support team and I look forward to getting to know everyone better this year!