Her fear of returning was almost palpable. Every time she stepped out of her home, she found herself looking at people reaching into their backpacks. In public buildings, she plotted out the nearest exits. The noise of an airplane, reminiscent of the helicopters and SWAT vehicles from the aftermath of the shooting at her school, would make her break down in tears.
The toll of the horrific incident at the Oxford college was immense, not just on Alexis, but also on the entire college that had borne witness to such tragedy. For a while, classes were cancelled. However, unlike other educational institutes that had shut down after similar gun rampages, Oxford institute reopened just a few weeks post the horrific incident.
Alexis, despite having developed hypervigilance, was eager to return. Having always loved school, she found it enriching and loved being in the educational environment. As part of security measures, additional police forces were deployed for the protection of students at the Oakland County campus in Michigan, many of whom were still experiencing trauma. Offering further support were a group of four-legged furry companions that aimed to help students cope with their emotional stress that they might not express verbally.
Even with the increased police presence and comforting presence of dogs, Alexis struggled to return to school. Her fight-or-flight instinct kept activating, making her fear for her life. She could only endure two full days of school in two weeks. Her fears eventually prompted her to consider online schooling, at least temporarily.
Emotional support dogs were trained as part of a program initiated by Sheriff Michael Bouchard just before the Covid-19 pandemic hit Michigan, responding to increasing concerns about anxiety and mental health. His aim was to find easily approachable dogs with a comforting presence. Through research with a professor, Cavalier Spaniels were chosen due to their small size, silky coat, and animated spirit. Their small stature also allowed them to more easily comfort those in wheelchairs or hospital beds. These comfort dogs have been extremely effective, particularly in situations involving suicide attempts. They quickly became part of the Oakland County community.
When Oxford High School reopened nearly two months after the shooting, the therapy dogs were there to ease students back and one particular dog, Max, significantly helped the teenagers feel comfortable.
