In 2024, we welcomed two rescued dogs into the Kilittaşı & Keystone family after they completed an adaptation training with Therapy and Service Dog Trainer Berker Arslan: our Golden Retriever girl, Kis, and our Labrador Retriever boy, Kit.

Bringing them into our community was an exciting journey for all of us. Our students get to experience the love of animals firsthand with KIS & KIT. When they first arrived at school, they quickly adapted to their new family. Our students embraced them with love, and in return, KIS & KIT shower us with their endless affection.

On our campus, KIS and KIT have their very own doghouses, purchased with money earned by our students. Kilittaşı & Keystone is the only Round Square member school in Türkiye. Round Square promotes activities that support students’ holistic development through concepts such as Internationalism, Democracy, Environment, Adventure, Leadership, and Service. Our students raised funds for these doghouses through a Round Square event they organized at school.

Our dogs are incredibly calm-natured, thanks in large part to the training they received from Berker Arslan. Since they would be interacting with students daily, we couldn’t take the risk of them making sudden, uncontrolled movements—even during playtime—that could startle or accidentally harm our students. Fortunately, their training has ensured that KIS & KIT move with a sense of awareness and care, making them a comforting presence for everyone.

Our students don’t just pet KIS & KIT and move on; they take full responsibility for them. They are the first to notice the dogs’ needs and promptly inform us. From strengthening the bond between students and teachers to helping those with a fear of animals overcome their anxieties, and even encouraging students struggling with school adaptation to look forward to their classes, KIS & KIT have brought countless positive contributions to our school.

KIS & KIT’s daily routine begins with arrival of the students in the morning. They often spend time in our School Principal’s office, lounging on the couch or lying on the floor, attentively listening, even sitting through meetings! Teachers can bring them into classrooms whenever they wish. Classrooms, the garden during recess, and administrative offices are some of their favorite places to socialize. At night, they stay in their designated area in the schoolyard, and on chilly evenings, they rest in the security office or the parent waiting room.