Students in the Ogdensburg City School District can look forward to visits on a regular basis by the district’s therapy dogs, in an effort to create a positive school environment and improve students’ social-emotional health.
This therapy dog program was championed by a group of students enrolled in a public speaking class at Ogdensburg Free Academy during the 2024-25 school year. They approached the Board of Education to advocate for this program, which the Board approved.
Fully Trained and Certified
The district’s therapy dogs have each earned an American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen Certification (CGC), an American Kennel Club (AKC) Urban Canine Good Citizen Certification (CGC), and passed their tests for the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. They were trained and tested by trainer Michaela Lawton from Mountainside K9, in Rensselaer Falls, N.Y.
All therapy dogs are on leash and at their handler’s side while performing their cheerful and comforting services in the schools.
Stella
Stella is an English Cream Golden Retriever handled by caretaker and AIS Reading Teacher Jessica Pauquette. She has several years of experience as a therapy dog and primarily spends her time at Madill Elementary, working two days a week. Mrs. Pauquette says Stella begins to whine in excitement when turning onto Jefferson Avenue – she knows she is on her way to school!
Chubbs
Chubbs is an English Bulldog who is cared for by handler and Speech/Language Teacher Teresa Kearns. He works with Kearns at JFK Elementary two days per week. Chubbs has a red heart tag – a recognizable tag that states that a dog and the handler have passed certification tests and are members of the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Daisy
Meet sweet and lovable Daisy Blue, a chocolate lab handled by Steve Smithers, OFA Technology and Engineering Instructor! Daisy has completed advanced training with Mountainside K9. Daisy hangs out in the Technology and Engineering classrooms and makes her way through the halls of OFA many days a week with a smile on her face as she greets the middle school and high school students. You can usually find her getting a belly rub surrounded by a circle of students or on lunch duty helping with cafeteria cleanup.
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