Wethersfield board recognizes Webb Elementary’s therapy dog “Lenny”
Summary
At the Jan. 13 Wethersfield Board of Education meeting, parents, students and handlers introduced Lenny, a therapy dog trained by BluePath Service Dogs who will work with students at Webb Elementary; the board and community praised the program and discussed handler training and schedules.
Kirsten Gilberto, foster parent of Lenny, introduced the therapy dog to the Wethersfield Board of Education on Jan. 13 and described Lenny’s role at Webb Elementary. "We are very proud to be the foster parents," Gilberto said, noting the dog’s positive effect on students and staff. Student presenters described how Lenny greets students, helps with reading and calms students experiencing "big emotions."
Presenters said Lenny trained with BluePath Service Dogs and that multiple staff members serve as handlers on a scheduled rotation so the dog can be present without disrupting classroom instruction. The committee described a training sequence that included an initial three‑day training at BluePath and follow‑up onsite sessions to introduce additional handlers. Committee members explained they limited the number of handlers to avoid confusing the dog and selected social workers, school psychologists and reading consultants as primary handlers rather than classroom teachers charged with instructional time.
Board members responded with praise and gratitude. One board member said the program was initially controversial but has proven valuable: "It sounds awesome," the member said, adding that the district has seen benefits for students and staff. The board made the recognition official—presenting a badge and noting that Lenny "officially report[ed] to the HR office" and has a file on record.
The board did not take policy action during the recognition; board members encouraged continued community support for handlers and volunteer coordination.
