South Ridge Elementary School celebrated the retirement of Fergie, the school’s therapy dog, during a Kindness Kickoff Assembly on Aug. 31.
Fergie, the therapy dog of school counselor Anne Lamping, has served as a calming and comforting presence at South Ridge for the past four years. She also paved the way for other district therapy animals, according to a Ridgefield School District news release.
“We owe Fergie a lot for being the trailblazer for a therapy animal policy in our school district,” South Ridge Elementary Principal Tawny Malone said in the release. “Thank you for all of the lives you’ve touched, Fergs! There is no way to repay you for the years of calm and happiness that you gave to South Ridge. Thank you for bringing our Roadrunners joy for the last four years.”
During her retirement, Fergie will spend more time on the farm, where she can chase horses and enjoy the sun, according to the release.
Another therapy dog may eventually join the South Ridge Elementary counseling team. Lamping is training Jimmy Dog, a dachshund, to become a certified therapy animal. If he earns his certification, he could eventually join the team.
