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No Ruff Patches: A Therapy Dog
Success Story at Henry Hudson
Regional School
By Lenore M. Kingsmore, Principal, Henry Hudson Regional School District
(In the 2015 issue of Educa- different--in walks this beautiful and immediately loved the idea as I am a
tional Viewpoints, Lenore friendly St. Bernard. He goes to her pet lover and at the time had four cats
and a dog (all my pets are rescued!).
bedside, and her smile and attitude are
Kingsmore wrote an article immediately lifted. She can face another She and I then proceeded to gain the
about her then-new initia- day of pain with the comfort of a good support from the Supervisor of Special
friend-a therapy dog. It’s a commercial
Education, Mr. Thomas Toohey, who
tive to bring a therapy dog for dog food, but the message is clear, went into action and enlisted the help
to Henry Hudson Regional animals uplift the human spirit. This was of the K-9 handlers at his local police
department. It was then a presentation
the basis behind our school adopting a
High School. Five years therapy dog, and this is how it has been to a very supportive Superintendent,
later, she writes again to at Henry Hudson Regional School in Dr. Susan Compton, and a forward-
Highlands, NJ, a comprehensive 7-12
thinking Board of Education that gave
update us on the program’s school with a special education popula- us the “green light” to move ahead with
success.) tion of over 25%. this endeavor.
Six years ago, my very talented special
Mr. Toohey and Mrs. Noland researched
Have you ever seen the commercial education teacher, Kathy Noland, the best possible breeds in terms of
with the little girl in the hospital bed who came to me with the idea of having a allergies, temperament, and trainability.
needs an intravenous treatment in her therapy dog at Henry Hudson Regional It was clear that a goldendoodle would
arm? The nurse is at the door and an- School in order to help her autistic and be the best breed for HHRS. In the
nounces that she has to have another multiply disabled students with giving summer of 2014, “Hudson” (named by
treatment, but they are trying something and receiving emotional support. I our students in Mrs. Noland’s class)
Educational Viewpoints -80- Spring 2020
