When classes resumed this fall, Alamo Heights Independent School District added a new member to its community: Scout, the district’s first therapy dog. The canine companion was donated through the Kellyanne Elizabeth Lytal Memorial Foundation, a group created to honor the memory of eight‑year‑old Kellyanne Lytal, an AHISD student who perished in the 2025 flood at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas.
How Scout supports students
Scout works alongside counselor Lisa Taggart at Alamo Heights Junior School. Taggart, who serves as Scout’s handler, says the pair operate as a team, providing a calming presence for children who are experiencing anxiety, stress, or other difficult emotions. “Scout and I are a team. We come together to work every day. We counsel as a team,” Taggart explained.
Research shows that therapy animals can lower barriers to communication in counseling settings. Taggart noted that Scout helps students feel more comfortable opening up, saying, “Dogs in general really help lower those barriers that people might bring into counseling or therapy.”
Community involvement and legacy
The donation stems from the efforts of Kellyanne Lytal’s Girl Scout Troop 5116. The troop contributed $500 from cookie sales to the foundation, and members met Scout at Kellyanne Park in Alamo Heights, where the dog was named after their close‑knit group. “Kellyanne wanted a dog so bad,” said her mother, Malorie Lytal. “I feel like this is a way that I can get her a dog from heaven and have it with the purpose behind her foundation — with Scout spreading kindness.”
Taggart and Scout completed 100 hours of joint training before beginning their work with students. The Girl Scouts expressed confidence that Scout will continue Kellyanne’s legacy of love and service. “He’s just going to love people all the way,” one troop member said, while another added, “I think he’s going to help people a lot.”
Impact on the school community
Since his arrival, Scout has been present during counseling sessions, offering a non‑judgmental companion that helps children articulate feelings they might otherwise keep hidden. Parents have reported that their children appear more at ease when a friendly dog is in the room, and school staff note a noticeable reduction in tension during group activities.
Beyond individual counseling, Scout’s presence reinforces the district’s broader commitment to mental‑health resources and community well‑being. The partnership between the school, the foundation, and the Girl Scouts exemplifies how local organizations can collaborate to address the emotional needs of children, especially after a tragic loss that touched the community.
Looking ahead
Scout will remain at Alamo Heights Junior School throughout the school year, continuing to work with Taggart and the counseling team. The district plans to evaluate the program’s effectiveness and explore the possibility of expanding therapy‑animal services to other schools in the district.
For families interested in learning more about Scout’s role or supporting the Kellyanne Elizabeth Lytal Memorial Foundation, information is available through the district’s counseling office and the foundation’s website.
Original reporting: San Antonio, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
