Back-to-school season can be stressful for kids of all ages. One Pittsburgh-area middle school says they have a solution with the help of some furry friends.

Roxy, Ben, Kyla and Ranger are all therapy dogs within the Gateway School District. Each dog is trained and certified in the hopes of making a difference for the kids. It all started last school year with Kyla and middle school counselor Rick Taylor.

"It's an instant smile on these kids' faces, whether there's kids who come in just to see her, kids who come in that are crying, kids that are coming in upset," says Taylor. "She initially and quickly just calms kids down."

"It was pretty rough for me, before Kyla was here," says sixth grade student Johanna Larson.

Larson saw Kyla almost every day during the previous school year. Lars

See Full Page