Meet Luna, a therapy dog ​​who helps Williamson County students manage their emotions

GEORGETOWN, Texas – Luna is a good girl. She sits, she lies down and she takes a nap.

But what the 3-year-old golden retriever does even better is connect with students in ways adults just can’t.

“She’s really good at knowing who needs her. When we walk into a classroom, she tends to go to whoever she can tell who needs her the most,” said Tara Stewart, Luna’s owner.

Stewart is also the director of Georgetown ISD‘S Successful transitional education program, or STEP. The students in STEP are there Williamson County Youth Servicesand most are between 14 and 16 years old.

“A high percentage of our children come from difficult times. And they’re very scared for the school,” Stewart said.

Luna works with students a few days a week by helping them deal with stress and depression and by responding to classrooms when a student is upset.

“I think having a dog around lifts the spirits a bit,” said one student.

And administrators see a difference.

“A connection has been formed with students and staff who are at Luna at the same time,” said Matt Smith, associate director of Williamson County Juvenile Services.

“It’s easier to talk to the dog. She’s not judging you,” Stewart said.

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