Love on a Leash

Love

ON A LEASH

Last spring, Legacy added two very special members to the counseling staff, and they answer to the names Annie Snyder and Shepherd Snear. They stand out in the crowd, with their fluffy, wagging tails and their cheerful dispositions. You really can’t help but smile when you see them walking happily through the halls. Annie and Shep (as he prefers to be called) are part of an exciting new therapy-dog program called Love on a Leash.

The idea was born in 2018, when our community experienced the unexpected passing of a student. Following this tragedy, Legacy brought in two licensed therapy dogs to help students process their feelings and grief. Jena Snyder saw firsthand the power of the therapy dog: “There was a student crying clear across the library,” she says, “and the therapy dog sweetly stopped what it was doing and walked over to the student, who began to smile through the tears. It was beautiful and so desperately needed.”

Though the dogs were here only temporarily, just their presence did a world of good, and the need for a schoolwide initiative became apparent.

Annie brings a smile to Zach Fleiner (’26)

Shep visits with Victoriah (’27) in Dr. Snears office

Research has found that therapy dogs provide not only emotional support, but also cognitive, physical, and social benefits.

One day Mrs. Snyder and Dr. Snear met just as they normally would, and their conversation naturally drifted to a therapy-dog program. Dr. Snear had been considering it for some time and Mrs. Snyder had already seen the impact. Mrs. Snyder remembers the two of them thinking, “Wouldn’t it be cool if we could bring that to Legacy?”

After much animated discussion, they knew it was time to “hire” some therapy canines. They talked with the school’s administrators and were ready to take the next step, which meant finding just the right dogs for the job. Mini Goldendoodles were identified as the ideal breed for this type of work because of their easygoing temperament and hypoallergenic and non-shedding coat. Mrs. Snyder began praying for the right match for herself and soon found Annie, and Dr. Snear found her match in Shep. Make no mistake, therapy dogs work hard, and so do their handlers. It all starts with the proper training, for both handler and dog. Annie and Shep, along with the two counselors, took three six-week courses

Mrs. Bales can’t resist taking a break to bond with Shep

at What a Great Dog. “Shep knows he’s going to ‘work’ when we put on his vest,” says Dr. Snear. “He knows playtime is over until that vest comes off and he’s off the clock. We have to do that anytime he’s training or when working with students.”

After completing this initial series, which was 18 weeks of courses and countless hours of practice and training outside of class, the pairs passed the first test and earned their Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificates. But Shep and Annie weren’t ready to become therapy dogs just yet.

Next, they each had to complete a course through a certified therapy dog training program. For Shep, it was through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs; Annie worked through her coursework with Therapy Dogs International. At the culmination of the course, each dog/handler pair had

Annie pops over for a quick hello with Brock Sims (’23)

to take another test. “There’s a lot on the line with the testing,” says Dr. Snear. “I mean, there was a lot of pressure on both me and Shep.” The test is often taken at an unfamiliar site, which adds to the difficulty, as a therapy-dog-in-training

TESTIMONIAL

I absolutely LOVE pulling up to the Early Learning Center at school drop-off and seeing Mrs. Gordon by the front door with sweet Shepherd. The kiddos’ faces light up as they gather round and get some love from the dog on the way into school. My twins are excited to get out of the car, and seeing Shep starts their day off in a great way. I also have a Kindergartner, in the Lower School, and he equally enjoys these days. Shepherd visits the classrooms and teachers and staff and warms everyone’s heart and brings a smile. I got some time with Shep when I was helping out in the copy room, and he made my day!

My kiddos struggle with some social anxiety coming out of the pandemic and I’m sure we’re not the only ones going through some emotions. It’s getting better as time goes on, but I know Shepherd’s visits help on this front. This, along with the love and joy the program spreads through the school, is heartwarming. I’m so thankful that our children are at a school that has a unique program like this and does everything to pour into our kids — not just educationally, religiously, and in character building, but also emotionally.

—Brittany Pearson must demonstrate adaptability and an even temperament in a new environment. Therapy dogs need to be ready for situations that can be unpredictable, and preparedness and practice are key to being able to do their jobs correctly.

From the time the counselors first adopted Shep and Annie to the time they were ready to start working with students was just over two years. Working toward a therapy-dog certification is a labor of love for both the dogs and their handlers, but the rewards are immense. Kristin Gordon, our counselor at the Early Learning Campus and in the Lower School, has also earned a handler’s certification and is working with Shep until her young pup, Moses, can complete his certification.

Shep and Annie initially came to campus just once a week but have now transitioned to twice per week. Shep visits the Early Learning Campus with Mrs. Gordon one day a week, then the pair head to the Lower School that same day. The days when Shep comes to campus are noticeably brighter for everyone, from the students to the staff. Shep even works the carline in the morning with Mrs. Gordon.

Mollie Wiesendanger’s daughter, Bekah, is a Pre-K 4 student at the Early Learning campus. “Bekah has big feelings, as I’m sure many of our little Eagles do,” Mrs. Wiesendanger said. “I think having a therapy dog on campus is a great asset in helping turn days around when they’re having a hard time. One morning when I brought my daughter to school, she immediately greeted Shep by name and gave him a hug before heading down the hall to class. I can’t think of a better way to start the day!”

Love on a Leash has already been incredibly well received and successful. “Shep has a way of opening the door for students who otherwise would never enter my office,” says Dr. Snear. “He really provides me with great accessibility. On the days when he’s with me at school, he creates a warmer environment. It’s a palpable difference for students and teachers alike.”

For many students, having a therapy dog on campus has helped to remove the stigma of going into a counselor’s office. On Friday afternoons, there’s even “Annie’s family” in Mrs. Snyder’s office. A whole group of students, boys and girls, get together for time with Annie. They visit, they play, and they all start to open up just a little bit more.

During finals week, Annie comes to campus to help ease students’ anxiety. Mrs. Snyder brings her around during break times, and Annie’s presence is enough to lighten the mood and lower levels of stress. The anxiety about a final exam fades away as a student hears her little feet patter down the hall.

After a full day of working with students, Annie and Shep are wiped out. Some days they absorb a lot of heavy emotions, so they sleep pretty hard on those nights. They usually get at least one vacation day before heading back into the “office.” Legacy’s Love on a Leash program has shown that the wag of a spirited little tail and the love of the dog wagging that tail can help brighten a day, lighten a spirit, and even help the broken-hearted.

Gabie Heckman (’25) and Vincent Najera (’24) love spending time with Annie

Shep waits to greet students at the ELC during carline