Skye’s work in Absecon has made a monumental impact in the world of therapy animals in schools nationwide
When the next school year starts at Absecon Public Schools, there will be one less familiar face roaming the halls. Absecon Schools’ beloved therapy dog, Skye, is retiring after nine years of service to students and to the evolving world of therapy animals, which has seen tremendous growth since Skye first began his work.
“Skye’s groundbreaking work in the field of therapy animals in schools has allowed all those who have established programs, based on the work that he has done, to continue serving students far beyond what we had imagined when he was first certified in 2016,” said Absecon Schools Superintendent Dr. Daniel J. Dooley.
Skye, 10, is one of a pair of Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs—along with his sister, Hope, 8—certified as therapy animals through Pet Partners and working at Absecon Public Schools.
Nationally, Skye has made an impact as a model for school therapy dog programs, having been used to mentor over 50 schools in the state of New Jersey and countless others outside the state, including the Hawaii Department of Education. He has attended various presentations with Dr. Dooley on the use of therapy animals in schools, including four times at the New Jersey School Boards Association Workshop in Atlantic City and most recently to the Traumatic Loss Coalition for Youth of Atlantic County in May. Other presentations included the National Dog Show Therapy Dog Symposium at Rowan University, the New Jersey Association of Federal Program Administrators, and New Jersey Association of School Librarians.
Recently, the Mayo Clinic—the largest integrated, not-for-profit medical group practice in the world— adopted the term “facility dog” into its medical vocabulary and invited Dr. Dooley to speak on June 6 in Rochester, Minnesota to promote the use of a therapy animal as a facility dog, sharing Skye’s work and the positive impact it has had on students in Absecon Public Schools.
Skye’s work as a therapy dog has helped to promote legislation to create a state-wide therapy animal program in New Jersey, for which Dr. Dooley gave expert testimony in favor of before the Assembly Education Committee on Dec. 12 in Trenton.
Since coming to Absecon Schools in 2018, Skye has provided a loving presence and silent support to hundreds of students in various capacities, including in private counseling sessions, group counseling settings, physical therapy, in the Reset Room, in special education and self-contained programs, and in the district’s SMILE reading program, which is aimed at assisting reticent readers.
Though Skye’s stature is towering, it pales in comparison to the size of his heart. From the very start of his career, Skye could sense when a student was in need and pounced on the opportunity to provide connection and comfort, exemplifying the benefits of the animal-human bond.
“Like the very best teachers, Skye brought calm, care, and connection to every student he visited—without needing to say a word,” said Mrs. Jessica Carver, district therapy dog coordinator and middle school counselor. “Though he’s stepping away from his daily rounds, he’ll still stop by to visit now and then, just like those special teachers who retire from the classroom but never from our hearts.”
Skye would like to thank the Absecon Board of Education, all of his handlers and all of the children who have made this program a success.
In addition to his work at Absecon Schools, Skye has made nearly 1,400 visits as a therapy animal, holding the highest title of Therapy Dog Supreme from the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Skye has also gained national acclaim as a show dog, winning the National Dog Show in 2017 and 2018, earning fourth in his breed by the AKC in 2017, and competing in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show by invitation in 2017 and 2018. In 2019, Skye was selected as the ambassador of his breed for the AKC.
Skye remains one of the most decorated therapy animals in the country, having been spotlighted by Nat Geo Wild and the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA). He was featured in the Press of Atlantic City for his therapy dog work and as a show dog several times through the years, as well as appearing on the local CBS and ABC affiliate nightly news programs. His work was most recently covered in an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Upon his retirement, Skye will have more time for naps, big stretches, snuggles, walks and treats, and will enjoy the leisures of relaxing at home with his sister, Hope; human brother, DJ; and mom and dad, Dr. Dooley and Mrs. Stephanie Dooley.
