MARIETTA, Ga. — There’s a new pup on the block and he’s helping to provide students with some emotional support.
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On Thursday, Marietta City Schools announced that Barney, a crisis response canine, will be the district’s newest team member.
K-9 Barney will be working alongside School Resource Ofc. Paul Hill.
“When we de-escalate kids, we can talk to them or we can restrain them,” Hill said. “I have a lot of different tools that I can use to work with the public but with these kids, I realized there wasn’t much out there. There’s got to be something else we can add to our toolbelt,” Hill explained.
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The district along with the Marietta Police Department and the Marietta Schools Foundation helped raised money to pay for Barney.
Officials said canines such as Barney can help reduce anxiety, depression and PTSD symptoms. Their presence can also contribute to lower blood pressure and heart rate.
Donations to support Barney can be made here.
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