Help Ruby Join VISTA

Dear Friends,
Let me start by saying I absolutely love my job and I love my students even more.  

My name is Lisa and my co-teacher's name is Jessie.   We are both special education teachers for a specialized program called VISTA in Roxbury Public Schools.    


Just as every person has their own set of needs, interests, and talents; each one of our students does too.  As special education teachers,  we are constantly looking for creative and exciting ways to help our students learn, grow and become the best adults they can be.  We tailor their learning experiences to each student's set of needs and utilize their strengths, talents and interests as building blocks to persevere.   Due to Roxbury's comprehensive design of student services within their schools, all of our students are integrated within the general population.  This allows our students and their non-disabled peers to learn and grow together.  


Despite the very diverse group of students we work with throughout the school system, the one thing that they all share in common is a love for dogs. Their eyes just light up whenever Ruby comes into the classroom.  Students throughout the school come to visit Ruby and frequently mention how her presence affected them in a positive way.  This also creates a natural opportunity for positive peer to peer interactions.  


Therapy dogs are being used across the country to help students with and without disabilities.  Students find a great deal of comfort and joy from interacting with therapy dogs during the school day.  The presence of therapy animals has been proven to reduce stress, provide a source of encouragement, and enhance learning.  Using therapy dogs for our students is an opportunity to further expand their experiences during these formative years.  We believe incorporating therapy dogs into our program will be one more benefit we can offer students. 

Ruby's Story

Ruby comes from a local NJ rescue group. This sweet girl had been discarded by her previous people, but I saw a true gem.  I saw a therapy dog for our students.  I saw a way to brighten their day, to help them learn, to help them grow.  I saw a better future for all of us.

When Ruby made her first visit to Roxbury, people instantly started calling her "Roxbury Ruby."  Staff, students, and parents alike seemed to see the same vision I had for Ruby and began calling her their own.   

In order to become state certified, Ruby will need to take several obedience classes, be spayed and examined by the veterinarian, and have additional vaccinations.  In addition, I need to reimburse the rescue for their expenses in saving Ruby.  These costs will be difficult to manage on a teacher's salary.  

So, parents, students and compassionate supporters, I am asking for your help in covering the costs of Ruby's adoption, medical care, and therapy training classes to help this former underdog become a certified therapy dog for our current and future students.  

Please donate and help Ruby help all of Roxbury's VISTA students.

Thank you,

Lisa and Jessie