Faith McKim, a sophomore at Linn High School, has always loved animals but until five years ago, she never realized how much she needed Molly, who joined the family as a pup and has been a constant companion.
Diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD, McKim has long suffered anxiety attacks, usually several times a day, but there was little relief until the Collie-Lab mix came along. Molly was part of a litter offered to the McKims by Taylor Scheulen.
“I was having a really bad day and Molly started jumping on me until I sat down,” said McKim. “I sat there crying but I started to feel better with Molly there. She senses when I’m struggling and tackles me. It helps me settle down.”
With this unknown resource, McKim began to feel a little more control over her life.
“I have trouble reading because of dyslexia and it’s hard to concentrate, so I get very frustrated,” she said. “School is a big stressor. Most of my anxiety attacks happen there.”
“We didn’t know that Molly would have that kind of impact,” said Faith’s mother, Karla. “She loves Faith and is always looking after her. Collies need a job and Molly is really focused on doing her job.”
There has been no formal training. “Faith wasn’t looking for a service animal,” Karla said. “It just happened to work out that way. We did some research to learn more but we’re just so glad Molly is able to help. We’ve had dogs that were protective but nothing like what Molly provides.”
Specialized training could be obtained but it’s a very costly undertaking.
Molly’s emotional connection to Faith is unique in that she doesn’t react with the same level of concern for others. “Sometimes if my friends are with me and they’re upset, Molly will try to help but she is mainly focused on me,” Faith said, adding Molly doesn’t usually have issues with other dogs.
LHS guidance counselors suggested having Molly certified as a service animal, though the dog does not need specific training as others do, such as guide dogs.
“The school has tried to give as much support as possible,” Karla said, noting that Faith has a 504 plan. “We wish there was a way to make it work so that Molly could be with her at school but we understand the school is limited by state and federal law.”
However, Molly is not allowed to be on school property, per board policy, which states that, “Under Missouri law, the term ‘service dog’ is defined as a dog that is being or has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Service dogs include but are not limited to guide dogs, hearing dogs, medical alert or response dogs, mobility dogs, and mental health service dogs or psychiatric service dogs. Under Missouri law, ‘mental health service dog’ or ‘psychiatric service dog’ is defined as a dog individually trained for its owner who is diagnosed with a psychiatric disability, medical condition, or developmental disability recognized in the most recently published Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to perform tasks that mitigate or assist with difficulties directly related to the owner’s psychiatric disability, medical condition, or developmental disability. Emotional support dog, whose purpose is to provide comfort or companionship, does not meet the definition of a service dog under Missouri or federal law.”
Faith said some days are better than others but the main theme is trying to get through the school day without a major breakdown.
“When I have anxiety attacks, I go see my cheer coach,” Faith said. “She helps me get into my phone so I can see pictures of Molly and that helps calm me down.”
Faith enjoys being part of the cheerleading team. “I can dance all day long,” she said. “I don’t feel anxiety then. In fact, it’s a good way to relieve stress.”
Molly wears a vest identifying her as an emotional support animal, and federal law protects her as a service dog. “There’s more accessibility for her,” Karla noted. “She is allowed in a lot of places, just like other service animals.”
There have been confrontations from people who don’t understand the need for the animal or what Molly represents. Faith said she does her best to handle those kinds of situations but when it’s too much, she begins to shake, and Molly reacts, often before an attack fully forms.
“Molly alerts to her emotional state very quickly,” Karla said.
Elders at Community Christian Church agreed to allow Molly to attend youth group and church events, provided it wasn’t a problem.
“We’re very grateful,” Karla said. “We don’t want to create issues for anyone.”
For now, Faith and Molly are as inseparable as possible, and that is helping her cope.
“Mental health is just as important as physical health, and Molly makes it possible for Faith to handle her anxiety,” Karla said.