SOUTH HADLEY — Assistant Principal Patrick Lemieux met with the School Committee on Oct. 3 to discuss the early impacts of South Hadley High School and the introduction of Mac the therapy dog.
Lemieux talked highly of the impact Mac has and said, “He’s pretty special and just having him in the building has been such an uplift for a lot of people and a lot of staff members. Coming back from [COVID-19], people were kind of stuck in their little silos and didn’t feel necessarily comfortable with a lot of interaction and socialization. There’s been people in the main office that I haven’t seen in years that make it a regular to come and visit.”
The School Committee approved a therapy dog policy on Jan. 4 and Lemieux met with the committee to update them on the program so far.
Mac is a black Labrador from Boonefield Labradors in New Hampshire and is 6 1/2 months old at the time of print.
Boonefield Labradors specializes in facility dogs, comfort dogs and therapy dogs, according to Lemieux.
He further explained, “They are actually moving their breeding to purely dogs that will work in facilities — their dogs are so awesome.”
Mac is currently going through obedience training in effort to get to the therapy training. He has completed two out of five classes. After he is 1 year old, he can start the therapy application process.
Lemieux said his hope is when Mac is 18 months, he will be fully ready to start being observed and get his certification. He also said he wanted to share the impact of Mac on the school environment so far.
He said, “I’m a shameless supporter of my own children and [Mac] is one of them. I can tell you all wonderful things that he is and what he does for us at school but it doesn’t really mean much because we all have nothing but awesome things to say about our own kids.”
To be unbiased, Lemieux decided to put out a questionnaire to staff and students to give them the chance to share anything they would like the School Committee to know about Mac.
In less than 24 hours, Lemieux received approximately 100 responses filled with “positive” comments.
Lemieux read around 20 quotes that he thought showcased the work and impact Mac had on the school.
Lemieux read a few comments consecutively that said, “Just seeing him in the halls makes my day brighter. Most lunches I walk to pet him for a short period of time, and it just helps me. There was one day at the end of last year that I really needed a hug and Mac was in the hallway and I was able to calm myself down while holding him in my lap. He’s definitely had a positive impact on me and I’m glad that we have him. As a staff member with severe anxiety, just knowing Mac is in the building alleviates stress. Visiting with Mac is a welcomed reprieve in my day and is an incredible resource in our building.”
Besides all the positive comments from multiple students and staff, Lemieux said he thinks Mac has been nothing but impactful.
He said, “I personally believe, this is my 13th year being an assistant principal and during that time, for me, personally, 13 years of being kind of the disciplinarian and oversee student management, you can have lots of negative interactions with students and parents and that has drastically changed. The amount of kids and teachers and parents that are in the building, not even to see me, but then want to see him and spend a few minutes. There are days where I’ve come back to my office and there’s an adult sitting on my office floor with their hand in a crate petting a dog whose licking their face. It’s hard not to really enjoy having him there.”
Lemieux also addressed some comments he saw on social media talking about the cost of the dog.
He shared, “The school district has not funded one penny of anything that goes on with Mac. That is all me — that is all personally done by myself. I just want to let everyone know that this is not a resource the school paid for. I take care of all of the finances for, the purchase of the dog, the vet stuff, food, grooming, obedience classes. I do get a little help from a couple faculty members.”
Superintendent Mark McLaughlin said he has seen the positives of Mac firsthand and thinks it is great for South Hadley.
He said, “Mac is the cutest dog I have ever seen and it’s always a good day when you have a dog who’s going to presenting with you. We’ve been talking an awful lot lately about social, emotional health and wellness and how critical it is to the success of our students and staff. We have to do tangible things to make that happen and to create an environment where they feel safe and secure and happy and they are learning. We’re grateful for the Lemieux family for sharing him with us in this way.”
