ABSECON — It was a bittersweet day in the Absecon School District on Monday, June 22, as the 4th Grade students at H. A. Marsh Elementary School prepared to move on to middle school at Attales—it was not just the end of an era for these students, it was also the last day of school forever for one of the district’s original and beloved therapy dogs.

Hope, 9, a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, has been with Absecon Schools since she was 1; and on Monday, she walked the halls for the final time as a working dog with her owner, Absecon Schools Superintendent Dr. Daniel J. Dooley. 

Hope is retiring just one year after her older brother, Skye, who passed away earlier this year. During her career, she has logged 1,383 visits including at Marsh and Attales helping students become more confident readers, deal with emotional stress, or as a friendly face during hard times. In addition to her time at the school, Hope has spent numerous hours at local hospitals, nursing homes, and beyond, providing emotional support to staff, patients, and residents there.

Although Hope is retiring and Skye has passed on, Absecon Schools therapy animal program will continue. The district welcomed its newest therapy dog, Luna, also a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, last summer. Luna completed her training and certification this spring and recently began working with students. In addition, the Absecon Schools Therapy Farm, with two Nigerian dwarf goats, VanGoat and Goatzart, and two babydoll sheep, Midnight and Marshmallow, opened in May. This exciting new program will be the first of its kind at a public school in New Jersey.  With this therapy farm, Absecon Schools will build on the benefits of the animal-human bond in our efforts to best serve our learning community.