Breaking News
Local News

Puppy love: Foot of Ten therapy dog spreads joy in classrooms

By Colette Costlow 4 min read

HOLLIDAYSBURG -- Students and teachers alike light up when Foot of Ten Elementary School's therapy dog Callie walks through the doors.

"Callie brings me peace," fifth grader Kandace Peppetti said. "When I'm struggling on a test, she makes me feel calm. She makes me feel like I can do my best."

Peppetti is one of many students who share the same sentiments about Callie, as she visits the school about once a week with her owner and fourth grade teacher Brigitte Donlan.

Watching Callie's interactions with Foot of Ten students and staff, Donlan believes that dogs understand when someone needs support.

"I didn't realize how much of an impact she would make until I lived it," she said.

When Donlan brought Callie home as an 8-week-old in 2023, she said a trainer and several others around the golden retriever noticed her calm temperament right away.

After Callie became certified through Alliance Therapy Dogs at 18 months old, she and Principal Marissa Cerully approached the Hollidaysburg Area School Board about bringing Callie into Foot of Ten Elementary.

Board member Michele Luther advocated for bringing a therapy dog into Foot of Ten after Donlan and Cerully presented their idea to the board.

"I really wanted that program and thought how amazing it would be to have it in our district," she said.

Callie started her role as therapy dog during the 2024-25 school year. Donlan said they issue permission slips to keep track and/or make accommodations for students with allergies.

Starting her third year as Foot of Ten's therapy dog, Callie starts her day greeting students in the hallway before settling down on Donlan's blue carpet or under Donlan's desk.

"She might sit next to a kiddo while they're working on their Chromebooks or their schoolwork and let them pet her, and other times she'll sit up front and it's quiet," Donlan said.

When Donlan is planning, she volunteers her time by visiting different classrooms with Callie. Donlan knows to enter a classroom when a teacher displays a sign outside of their room that Callie is welcome. Teachers have had their students read stories to Callie, and other students have picked Callie to lead their nature walks.

"They thought her nose would be good to lead the nature walk," Donlan said with a laugh.

Other staff members have called Donlan's office to bring Callie to a student who is down and needs to see an uplifting face. Typically, before Donlan could lead Callie to the student, she would go over to the child and sit down in front of them.

"Dogs really do know who needs their support, which I think is really amazing," she said.

Callie visited a few classrooms Thursday morning, and many students expressed their excitement with smiles, laughs and many pets.

Three students in a third grade math group have known Callie for a year, but they still get excited when she comes around the building.

"I like that we can pet her," student Adalynn Seymour said. "I love dogs."

Student Bryson Walker said Callie makes him happy and excited every time she visits his class.

Aside from Foot of Ten, Callie is also part of PawZone therapy dogs' volunteer group that works with local elementary schools and nursing homes.

Because many students have pets at home, Donlan said Callie's presence helps them relax and become more willing to complete their in-class assignments.

"It's nice because it's a common thing that everybody can relate to," she said. "It brings people together."

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.

Starting at /week.