In a school of roughly 1,600 students and staff, stress levels can tend to run high. With deadlines, tests, and practices all packed into a few hours every day, teenagers and adults alike can struggle to keep up with daily tasks while remaining happy. Luckily for them, hidden among the sea of backpacks and textbooks are a few secret stress-relievers with four paws and wagging tails.
Five certified and highly-adored service dogs can be found around the Northgate campus, providing not only joy for students passing by, but also support for their handlers as highly trained partners. The dogs, with help from their owners, have completed the certification program and paperwork to guarantee their behavior and attitudes on campus are nothing short of A+.
Follow along as The Sentinel introduces our five service dogs and their owners: Meet Idgy and Merritt Rollins (Wellness Center), Ryder and Sarika Robinson (Science), Frankie and Nandini Gopal (Special Ed/Academic Success), Rocky and VP Tucker Farrar, and Charly and school psychologist Mary Tsuboi
Idgy! Spends the day with Merritt Rollins, Wellness Center and Social Worker
- What kind of dog do you have, and what was the inspiration for their name?
I don’t technically know, but I think she’s a schnoodle, which is a schnauzer-poodle. I love the movie Fried Green Tomatoes, and the main character, who’s super cool, is named Idgy Fred Goode.
- What’s your dog’s personality like?
She does a lot of sleeping– but she’s super friendly, loves people, pulls to greet people. She likes to play, and loves to be off leash and just run really fast.
- Can you tell me a bit about your dog, and how you think they affect people on campus?
I think she provides a lot of comfort for people. Students will come in just to see her, and when she gets to know people, she’ll kind of run over when they walk in, and she’ll just roll on her back. There are students that come in when they’re having a hard time; just to visit her, so they can pet a dog and kind of just get that comfort.
Ryder! Spends the day with science teacher Sarika Robinson (but has been known to meander in the science wing!)
- What is your dog’s name, what kind of dog are they, and what was the inspiration for their name?
Ryder is a very lovable dog. He loves pets and all people, but can be a scaredy cat when it comes to loud noises. I honestly just liked his name. I actually picked it out before I decided on getting a golden retriever.
- Tell me a bit about your dog, and how you think they affect people on campus?
Ryder brings an escape to people having a stressful day or just something to look forward to at school throughout the day. Overall I would say he brings joy and comfort.
- What’s your dog’s personality like?
Ryder is always wanting to make you happy. He loves getting pets all day and never gets tired of it. He also loves sitting on people’s feet and laps. At home he is very playful and is always grabbing a toy and shoving it in our other 2 dogs’ faces to try to get them to play with him.
Frankie! Spends the day with Special Education teacher Nandini Gopal
- What kind of dog do you have, and what was the inspiration for their name?
He is a mix: a miniature pinscher and something else…we’re not sure!
The animal shelter where he was adopted from named him “Francois”. Since it was a mouthful, we changed it to Frankie.
- What’s your dog’s personality like?
Frankie is very sweet, gentle and very smart. However, he is very clear about what he wants, and he communicates his wishes with hand gestures or hides.
- Tell me a bit about your dog, and how you think they affect people on campus?
Students seem to like him, and they enjoy his company. Frankie also enjoys coming to school and looks forward to all the attention he gets from students and colleagues!
Charly! Spends the day with school psychologist Mary Tsuboi.
- What kind of dog do you have, and what was the inspiration for their name?
Charly is a Golden Retriever. I named him after one of my daughter’s close friends.
- What’s your dog’s personality like?
Charly is lovable, funny, smart, loyal, and funny!
- Tell me a bit about your dog, and how you think they affect people on campus?
Charly loves being at Northgate! She loves the teachers and the students. I believe she makes students very happy!
Rocky! Spends the day on errands through the halls or helping deliver passes with Vice Principal VP Tucker Farrar or student TAs
- What kind of dog do you have, and what was the inspiration for their name?
Rocky is a Border Collie. He actually came from Montana, so he is named after the Rocky Mountains where he was born.
- What’s your dog’s personality like?
He is incredibly loyal and very eager to please. He definitely has that “working dog” mindset where he always wants a job to do, but he is also perfectly happy just napping nearby while I work.
- Tell me a bit about your dog, and how you think they affect people on campus?
Rocky loves being around people! He always wants to say hello to everyone he sees, mostly because he’s hoping they might throw a ball or a frisbee for him.
Unfortunately, he had a spinal cord injury this past December while chasing a ball. Because of that, he’s a little bummed out lately because I have to limit how much he runs and jumps on campus. Chasing balls used to be his favorite way to interact with the students, but we are hoping he can fully heal soon so he can get back to his favorite hobby!
Whether a student, a staff member or an administrator is in need of a little lift, chances are that with dogs in virtually every corner of the school, they will find at least a tail wag to brighten the day.
