Meet Miss Siggy
Miss Siggy was our first school dog. Sweet, gentle,“bomb-proof”, and masterful in a crisis. School social worker Catherine Ricchetti was her primary handler.
Her work in three of the Guilderland Elementary Schools (Pine Bush, Guilderland, and Lynnwood) launched our dog program expansion. Students, staff and the principal experienced the magic of her presence and wanted a dog in their school every day.
Miss Siggy once helped an unvaccinated student remain in school. This child was terrified of needles. At the doctor’s office he would thrash, scream, and run away in fear. Miss Siggy, with Catherine and a very kind bus driver, took this boy to the pediatrician’s office where we met his mom. With Miss Siggy’s support this boy, softly crying and hugging the dog, allowed himself to be vaccinated. An exceptional day on the job for Miss Siggy!
Meet Willow
Willow works at Pine Bush Elementary School in Guilderland, NY. She’s an independent sweet doodle with lots of personality! Willow is a quick learner and knows dozens of cues and tricks to enhance her work with students. Willow has been known to (occasionally) wander from her classroom in search of the head custodian for a cookie! During vacations with the VanWagenen family Willow’s favorite activities are climbing on coastal rocks and running on the beach in Maine.
Meet Copeland
Copeland works at Lynnwood Elementary School in Guilderland, NY. He’s quite a character. He makes lots of sounds and silly noises to communicate. They are not barks, it’s more like he wants to converse. If Copeland were a boy, we believe, he would never stop talking! This goofy boy’s primary handler is school social worker Catherine Ricchetti.
Meet Olive
Olive works at Guilderland Elementary School. Fourth grade teacher Kate Tymeson is her primary handler. Her favorite game to play with her human classmates is a version of hide-and-go seek that ends with a delicious treat. But if you really want to make her smile just play fetch with her or give her a belly rub!
“I like that Olive isn’t always perfect because it means it is okay for me to make mistakes too.”
“Olive is like a mirror. If we are calm then she is calm.”
“Olive is like sunshine, she brings happiness to our school.”
Meet Lula
Lula’s primary handler is math specialist Amy Martin. Lula supports the students at Altamont Elementary. She loves numbers and is an integral part of the math department.
She was named by the students and her name means Love Us Love All.
Meet Doc
Dr. Derbyn (Doc) works at Guilderland High School. His primary handler is speech and language pathologist Debra Kottage-Perrotto. Derbyn is the Welsh word for “to accept”, and true to his name, Doc shows others the unequivocal acceptance that only a dog can give.
Meet Gal
Gal is the canine who works in Westmere Elementary. Gal’s primary handler is reading teacher Carolyn DeKalb. Gal loves to “sing” and is even known to play a few instruments when she spends time in the music room.
Meet Cinna
Cinna works at Farnsworth Middle School. Her primary handler is reading teacher Sandra Stedge. Cinna loves to be pet everywhere, but especially under the ears. She is a very good dog who will hold your hand and stare deep into your eyes.
Meet George
George works at Saddlewood Elementary School in South Colonie NY. His primary handler is special educator Sarah Norton.
George earned his wings when he doubled as a seeing eye dog for a young child, Charlie Fernandez, who went blind during treatment for cancer. George’s handler made a cane out of a hula hoop and she and Charlie held George’s harness. When Charlie could not see she became more afraid of bugs but her teacher told her not to worry because George would eat them for her!
The comfort of George walking with her in school gave Charlie the confidence and safety she needed. George is a humble hero who stole our hearts. His reward…. cuddles and kibbles.
Meet Joy
Joy’s primary handler is school social worker Francesca Ann Telesco.
This stunning one year old is a facility dog in training for a small school district in MA. She likes to carry her own leash and she smiles too!
Meet Memphis
Memphis worked in a probation department in upstate NY. His primary handler is probation officer and social worker Christine Miner - one of Paws 2 Connect's own staff.
Memphis can’t get enough of tennis balls and if he could, he would put three in his mouth! Memphis is quirky and gentle with a love of people.
Meet Maggie
Maggie works in the Berne-Knox-Westerlo school district in both the high school and grade school. Maggie’s primary handler is Dr. Katrina Emmerich, school psychologist. In May of 2019 Maggie made the local news when she was recognised as the citizen of the month by County Executive McCoy for her devotion to her students' academic excellence and their mental health!
Meet Henry
Meet Henry: Henry’s primary handler is special educator Sarah Norton
Henry works at Saddlewood Elementary School in South Colonie NY. Henry’s claim to fame came when he was accidentally locked in the school kitchen after a PTA event that included cooking bacon! Hendy simply could not resist the scent of bacon filled hallways.
Meet Archie
Archie is a facility dog in training at the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School. His primary handler is social studies teacher Adam Sutton. Archie is a sensitive friendly puppy who cannot resist the opportunity to roll in the grass
Meet Maxie
Charlie and Maxie two of the Albany Police Department’s therapy/facility dogs! This canine unit is community policing at its best! The canines help build trusting relationships between the PD and the community they serve. Go APD!
Officer Jan Mika is Maxies primary handler. Maxie is the black Labrador in the photo.
Maxie is able to manage crisis work and is calm and soothing when brought to the scene of car accidents to comfort frightened passengers.
Meet Charlie
Charlie and Maxie two of the Albany Police Department’s therapy/facility dogs! This canine unit is community policing at its best! The canines help build trusting relationships between the PD and the community they serve. Go APD!
Officer Joel Cadwell is Charlie’s primary handler. The primary dog trainer for the APD is Kathy Rogers.
At the tender age of 6 months Charlie was brought in to help a teen in crisis. His presence helped this child come in off a 3rd story building ledge. Not many of us can say we literally saved a life but Charlie can! How’s that for earning your kibble!
Meet Maisy
Maisy works for the Corinth Central School District. Her primary handler is school social worker Kerry Giumarra. Maisy has worked K-12 and in her excitement to see students she whimpers, cries and full body wiggles!. Clapping stresses her out and staff and students have adjusted their clapping to meet her needs. We love that the Corinth student body takes such good care of their Maisy! It’s comical and quite sweet.
"Maisy is my favorite to have in school because when I was in third grade, I used to have anxiety attacks and Maisy helped me get through them. Now that I’m a 9th Grader in High school, Masiy has helped me when I was in tears because my Boyfriend at the time was being really hurtful, and Masiy made me laugh when I was crying. She always makes me happy even when I’m in a bad mood. It’s awesome that Maisy is here in school because I’m a huge dog person. Maisy helps me when I feel like everyone has turned their backs on me, she never does. Thank you Mrs. Giumarra for bringing Masiy to school. It makes my day so much brighter to see you and Masiy." - 3rd Grade, Kenzie
Meet Cleatus
Cleatus worked in the Firemen's Retirement Home in upstate NY. He is currently retired but his impact was felt by all the residents. During his tenure his love of butt rubs was known by staff and residents alike. His primary handler is Lacy Florentino-Consolini who was then a Fireman’s nursing home administrator.
Meet Auggie
Augie’s primary handler is Ms. Jamie Gibbs, school counselor at Bell Top Elementary, then a remote school. Auggis has a brilliant bounce to his prance and his enthusiasm for life is boundless! Auggie reminds us of Tigger when he seemingly bounces off the floor! Auggie exudes joy!
Meet Ziggy
Ziggy works in the Germantown school district. His primary handler is Renee Grzeskow, school social worker. Ziggy has an amazing sensitivity to people and he always attends to the students and adults who need him most. 
Ziggy is an excitable sweet pup who works K-12 in Germantown NY!
Meet Kooper
Meet Kooper! Kooper is the first therapy (facility) dog of the Schenectady City Police Department in New York. Officers refer to him as the “old man”! His primary handler is officer Peter (PJ) Mullen.
Meet Cooper
This little bundle of curls works at BellTop Elementary in the East Greenbush school district. His primary handler is speech pathologist Denise Boniface. Kooper is in the wonderful habit of stopping at all of his favorite classrooms hoping to go in to say hello. Not only has Kooper inspired works of art Kooper has been particularly helpful helping one student who is afraid of bugs brave the outdoors so they can enjoy recess!
Meet Rosie and Otis (Odie)
Two of the newest Ravina-Coeymans-Selkirk facility dogs in (early) training!
Primary handlers: Second grade educator Trisha Grogan, and Middle School reading teacher Christine Renaldi with our newest team members!. These sweet pups arrived at their forever homes in late December 2022!