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Man’s best friend has been providing much-needed therapy, often unbeknownst to us, for years.
This has certainly been the case at Plainedge, where the community has been hit hard by student deaths.
In response to these challenges, the Plainedge school community reached out to Canine Companions, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities and children by providing highly-trained service dogs at no charge to recipients, according to their website.
“Our students, staff, and community were devastated by the loss of Dylan Nuccio,” said Bridget Murphy, Plainedge’s Director of Special Education. “Dylan had spent his whole life as part of the Plainedge community. Additionally, his mother was a teacher in our schools, and his sisters also attended Plainedge. The impact was tremendous.”
Dylan, a 17-year-old student, tragically died in a car crash on Jan. 3, 2023, just after Christmas break. He was a senior, set to graduate that June. Later that year, on Oct. 29, another student, 11-year-old Sienna Reyes, passed away due to illness. These losses further underscored the need for emotional support for students, Murphy explained.
“The students responded so positively that our mental health team, led by Allison Cottone, arranged for the dogs to return once a month,” said Murphy. “Our mental health team and student volunteers have partnered with Canine Companions’ volunteers to encourage students to build relationships with our support staff. By integrating mental health support into a welcoming and comforting experience with the grief therapy dogs, students are more aware of the support available to them.”
Research from the Schoenbaum Family Center at Ohio State University shows that therapy dogs help reduce anxiety, increase self-esteem, and enhance overall well-being.
One student, reflecting on the impact therapy dogs have had on her and her peers, can personally attest to these benefits.
Plainedge Junior Kira Garvey, 16, said the therapy dogs have been both a “physical and mental uplifter,” particularly Jam, a yellow Labrador who visited the school the very day after Nuccio passed away.
“Most students didn’t know how to cope,” Kira said. “But the day after was so special having the dogs come. In particular, one student I sat across from was really struggling. I could tell he needed someone to talk to—not an actual person, but a therapy dog.
“When Jam went up to him, the boy knew he was okay, and that feeling his emotions was normal.”
Yvonne Dagger, a Canine Companions volunteer for 15 years who sits on the Canine Companions Northeast board, explained how she and her trusted dog Picasso help at Plainedge.
“The high school has a specific room called the Mindfulness Room,” Dagger said. “It’s a beautiful, calm space where students can go to feel relaxed and rejuvenated. It’s a stress-free, positive zone. The last Monday of the month is called ‘Mindful Monday,’ and Picasso and I are there for the students. Hundreds of students come to feel the love of Picasso.”
In addition to Mindfulness Monday, dogs also visit specific classrooms occasionally, accompanied by students and staff volunteers.
“I truly feel that therapy dogs are something every school should have,” Garvey said. “Not just for cuddles and love on good days, but for the gentle pets and support on sad days. I know in my heart they are little angels that everyone needs.”
— All photos from Plainedge by Yvonne Dagger
