Twinkle, Spriestersbach are national model for Canine Companions Facility Dog Program

By Charlie Boss, Westerville City School District Community Engagement Coordinator — 

It’s not hard to run into Twinkle at Westerville South High School.

The 5-year-old Canine Companions facility dog welcomes students arriving at school in the morning, greets them in the hallway during passing periods, and visits classrooms to support teachers with mindfulness lessons and breathing exercises during class breaks.

And when students meet with her handler, social worker and mental health specialist Noelle Spriestersbach, Twinkle is on hand for comfort, hugs, and tissues.

In the home of the Wildcats, the Lab-Golden Retriever mix has become a symbol of unconditional support for students and staff since joining the District more than two years ago.

For Canine Companions, Twinkle and Spriestersbach serve as the national model for their facility dog program. Both were interviewed along with WSHS students by an accreditor in December when the California-based nonprofit sought to renew its five-year national accreditation.

“Noelle and Twinkle were the perfect choice to demonstrate the profound impact of Canine Companions facility dogs,. We are thrilled to have received our five-year national accreditation, and we are deeply grateful for the glowing feedback from the accreditor, as well as the dedication of our teams throughout the accreditation process.”

— Adrena Spreacker

program director for Canine Companions North Central Region

“Noelle and Twinkle were the perfect choice to demonstrate the profound impact of Canine Companions facility dogs,” said Adrena Spreacker, program director for Canine Companions North Central Region. “We are thrilled to have received our five-year national accreditation, and we are deeply grateful for the glowing feedback from the accreditor, as well as the dedication of our teams throughout the accreditation process.”

Canine Companions trains service dogs for adults, children, and veterans and facility dogs who work with a professional in a visitation, education or healthcare setting. The organization has more than 2,700 active teams throughout the country, typically placing between 325 and 375 service and facility dogs each year.

Spreacker said the organization chose Twinkle for its accreditation process because of Spriestersbach’s work with her and the positive impact they’ve had on students and the Westerville City Schools community.

“We have a strong, collaborative relationship with Westerville Schools, and we’ve seen firsthand how Noelle has continued Twinkle’s training to ensure her behavior remains exemplary, while also finding creative ways to engage and support students,” she said.

Canine Companions facility dogs are highly-trained to help children, adults, and veterans with disabilities and professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice and education settings. Canine Companions service dogs can perform more than 40 commands designed to motivate and inspire people with disabilities to live more independently and assist those who need support in building resilience.

For example, Twinkle can push open doors, pick up baskets, pull carts and lay on someone’s lap — all on command.

“Twinkle, to a lot of our students, is the most approachable staff member in the building,” Principal Mike Hinze said.

Spriestersbach wanted Twinkle to be a constant presence to support students’ social and emotional needs. Since her arrival to WSHS, she has been deeply integrated into the school community. She helps students in specialized learning classrooms by providing additional de-escalation and calming support. She has been available during emergency situations to help students regulate. She has given a diploma during a special graduation ceremony, participated in pep rallies and helped students with their homecoming court announcement.

Spriestersbach recalled comments a student shared about Twinkle’s impact: “When I see a student who doesn’t look like me and we don’t have anything in common, we don’t run in the same circles and you see them pet Twinkle, Twinkle helps you see the person inside other people.”

“It’s created a culture shift, how connected students can feel to each other and bond over her,” she said.

And Twinkle’s presence extends beyond WSHS. Spriestersbach takes her to school visits about twice a month, greeting students during morning arrival or book readings. Last month, Twinkle delivered candy canes to classes at Pointview Elementary. She also accompanies Spriestersbach when she leads staff training sessions at other schools.

She was also the subject of a 2023 study by an Otterbein University graduate student, who examined the impact of a facility dog on adolescent populations in schools. Her study found that students who interacted with Twinkle had a significant increase in emotional regulation scores compared to those who did not.

“Twinkle lightens up a room,” Hinze said. “Any club meeting, classroom visit, when Twinkle walks in, everyone’s guard drops. That’s always nice to have someone break the ice without any effort.”

Westerville Education Challenge provides the district with additional support to continue Twinkle’s work within the district.

Photos and news release courtesy of Charlie Boss and the Westerville City School District.

Westerville Education Challenge extends special thanks to the Westerville City School District for its continuing support of Twinkle and the Canine Companion Dog Program, and to district Community Engagement Coordinator Charlie Boss for this excellent story and photo, originally published in school district announcements.