GISD therapy dog a finalist in “Hero Pets” national competition, needs your vote

Luna Raptor and her special human, Tara Stewart, principal at S.T.E.P., GISD’s Successful Transition Education Program at the Wilco Juvenile Justice Center.

Luna Raptor, Georgetown ISD’s therapy dog needs your vote.

Luna is the beloved Irish Setter whose loving and gentle disposition makes everything alright at the Wilco Juvenile Justice Center.

She is one of only 12 finalists nationally in the “Hero Pets” category of a national contest sponsored by Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards, benefitting the Best Friends Animal Society.

The contest’s winning pets and humans receive a cash prize, a trip to the Los Angeles red carpet award show, and their photos placed on the Times Square billboard in New York City.

Vote for Luna online at https://petloverschoiceawards.com/contestant/6505?contest=12. Voting ends April 5, 9 p.m. Voters can cast one free vote every 24 hours, or purchase unlimited additional votes. Donations benefit the Best Friends Animal Society.

Seven-year-old Luna belongs to Tara Stewart, principal at GISD’s Successful Transition Education Program (S.T.E.P.), the juvenile justice center’s academic program. She brings Luna to work with her several days a week.

“Luna is a favorite here,” Ms. Stewart said. “She just lights up a room when she walks in. She is loved by everyone.”

Ms. Stewart adopted Luna as a puppy, and trained with her as a therapy dog and her person. The training and certification process took 18 months and Ms. Stewart now calls Luna “a people dog” who generates “smiles and pets” from everyone she’s around.

In her five years of therapy dog service, Luna has logged more than 550 visits at S.T.E.P. and many more in the community through other programs.

“Luna brings three things to every interaction — approachability, no judgement, and connection,” she said. “She just offers love and a tail wag.”

Ms. Stewart said medical research has shown petting a dog releases oxytocin, a “feel good” hormone that reduces stress and promotes a feeling of well-being.

She said, when Luna walks into a room, “she goes straight to the person who needs her most. She just knows, just senses, who needs to pet her, who needs her comfort and company.”

Sometimes the environment in the justice center can become tense, she explained, and Luna can turn things around.

“Teens come here from all kinds of difficult situations. They can be sad, stressed or angry, have an attitude, or be scared. Often, it’s all of these emotions — that’s a lot of feelings for anyone to handle at the same time,” Ms. Stewart said.

“But none of that phases Luna. She goes straight to whomever needs her most, ready to comfort and heal. She knows who that is. I’ve seen tension in kids — and in adults too — just disappear within minutes of being with Luna,” she said.

Luna has a daily routine at S.T.E.P. She visits every classroom just to say hello and share some love — and will be called in to help any student in distress.

She explained what every parent and educator knows — teens are emotional, and teens at S.T.E.P. can experience a range of emotions they struggle to understand and control.

“Luna understands that sometimes, these kids just need a hug, and she’s totally huggable,” Ms. Stewart said. Luna is also a favorite of staff whose jobs can be stressful and who also benefit from time with her.

Luna works about three days a week, then gets some time off to rest at home.

“It can be a high stress environment here, even for Luna,” she said. By Monday, though, “She’s antsy to come back. This school is her second home and everyone is her friend.”

According to GISD, Luna's story is inspiring other juvenile justice programs across the country to create similar programs. Locally:

Williamson Co. Juvenile Services has been recognized as a TBRI Ambassador Organization by the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development.
All staff and teachers are trained in trauma-informed practices.
The S.T.E.P. campus was recently named as a national Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase School, the first juvenile justice school to earn the honor in the U.S.

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