Stafford middle schoolers are getting by with a little help from their four-legged friend.

Tucker, a 6-year-old beagle and certified therapy dog, has become something like a Stafford Middle School staff member over the past two years — he even has a picture in the yearbook.

Stafford counselor Laura Walters, Tucker’s owner, brings him to the school twice a week for classroom visits, one-on-one student time and teacher activities. He also visits schools touched by tragedy or grief. With certification through Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Tucker’s ready to lend a paw wherever he’s needed.

A few hours with Tucker is enough to see the big impact the little beagle has had on Frisco ISD.

A comfort to students

On a recent Friday morning, the last day of Kindness Week, Walters and Tucker stood in the Stafford halls, welcoming students. As soon as the dog was in sight, students squealed, “Tucker!”

As students petted Tucker, Walters had a chance to connect, too. She asked the kids how their classes were going, about their schedules for next year and whether she’d see them later for a Tucker visit. Students can request time with Tucker, and many do — to do homework with him, to talk to him or just to sit together.

Tucker’s first job of the day was a visit across the street, to Phillips Elementary. A short walk and a lot of grass sniffing later, Tucker was meeting with three fifth graders who said they were nervous to move to middle school.

The students were soft-spoken and shy as Walters asked questions about their fears for next year. Then she suggested they get on the floor and talk, as Tucker sat in the middle of their group, panting happily. They petted him and gradually opened up.

It’s scary, they said, moving to a school where the kids are so big, the halls so unknown. “I don’t want to get lost,” one girl said.

Walters reassured them their feelings are normal. Stafford is big, yes, but they’ll have a chance to find their classes before school starts. And Tucker will be there, too.

At the end of their time together, Walters asked the kids if they felt better about next year. “Yes!” one boy said quickly, softly, as he rubbed Tucker behind the ear.

Class lessons

Then it was back to Stafford, and a visit to two GT classes. Teachers had asked Walters to share her lesson on how to combat test anxiety, since STAAR testing was coming up and students were worried.

This group of students doesn’t typically struggle on the test itself, Walters said, but is more prone to stress over taking it. Her test prep strategies begin with the letters of Tucker’s name, such as “Take a breath” and “Emotionally regulate.”

At the end of their lesson, Tucker and Walters visited with students, who happily reached down to pet the beagle. “Everyone always likes seeing Tucker,” sixth grade GT teacher Chelsea Cain said.

Eighth grade GT teacher Emily Murdock agreed. “He bridges the gap and makes it easier to ask for help,” she said.

Later, in a reading lab class, Walters illustrated the importance of pushing through frustration by giving Tucker treats in a wooden puzzle. The search got progressively harder, and as he struggled to find the treats, Walters took the puzzle away. Students protested, and she asked, isn’t that what we want to do when things get hard, give up?

She put the puzzle back down, and Tucker finally found the treats. “What did his frustration lead to? Success!” she said.

Painting with teachers

Tucker’s not just a therapy dog; he’s also an artist.

Walters holds structured activities with teachers during their conference times, including art therapy. Teachers chat as they dot paint on small canvases, which are then wrapped in plastic. Walters smears the plastic in dog-safe peanut butter, and then it’s time for Tucker to do his thing.

“This is where the art is gonna happen,” one teacher said.

As Tucker licks the peanut butter, the paint is smeared — artfully — and voila. A “Tucker Original.”

Stafford principal Tara Francis said Tucker has helped teachers and students in so many ways. During STAAR testing last year, she said, one student got so frustrated he left the room. In the hallway, he saw a picture of Tucker on the wall and turned back, later telling Francis he thought: “I’m doing this for you, Tucker; I’ll go back and try again.”

“Tucker’s a miracle worker,” Francis said.

It certainly seemed that way as Tucker moved through the halls, calmly accepting all the love that hundreds of middle schoolers could give.

“I can’t leave Tucker!” one girl said as the bell rang. “He’s the love of my life!”

Walters looked down at Tucker. “I know,” she said, smiling. “Mine too.”

- Rachel McReynolds