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Officer Fredricks with Hodges

Everyone has bad days; everyone struggles, and during those moments of uncertainty, sometimes the best medicine is a wagging tail and friendly face. 

The mix between their sweet demeanors and unconditional love is what makes a dog the perfect companion, but they’ve become so much more than that. It has been proven that spending time with dogs can help decrease anxiety and depression. This, in turn, increases oxytocin, the love hormone, and reduces blood pressure and stress levels. With these studies in mind, more and more dogs are being brought into the workforce to help people.

Now, they can be found comforting sick kids at hospitals, offering local businesses a calming presence, or consoling stressed students at schools. Here in Waterford, we are fortunate enough to have two very special therapy dogs: Maysie and Hodges. 

Maysie is the very first dog to become a permanent member of our school system, as she resides at Clark Lane Middle School with her owner, 7th-grade math teacher, Mr. Jay Gionet. At just eight weeks, Gionet describes how they “just knew” that Maysie would become a therapy dog.

Now, three years later, the Golden Retriever is an active member in Clark Lane’s support system and a local celebrity here in Waterford. 8th grader, Emma Bock, describes how “Maysie has made me feel very comfortable in the classroom…I had a moment in 7th grade where I was very upset, and I didn’t really know what was happening, and Mr. Gionet pulled me aside and was talking me through it while Maysie was there just comforting [me]”.

8th grader Kyra Thomas added, “she rests her head on your hands when you’re in class and it’s really comforting.” 

Additionally, Gionet indicated that one of Maysie’s most important jobs is helping students during the transition period from 5th to 6th grade. Mrs. Erin Heller, the school psychologist at Clark Lane, expounded on how Maysie assists in her sessions as well. She explains that Maysie helps calm the environment when students are feeling dysregulated with a simple head on the lap and a personality eager for affection. From the pledge of allegiance to the last bell of dismissal, Maysie is there with a calming presence and sweet demeanor to support the students and staff of Clark Lane Middle School. 

Another faithful member of the Waterford community is the five-year-old English Labrador Retriever, Canine Officer Hodges. Raised by incarcerated individuals with the Puppies Behind Bars program, Hodges has always been destined for a life of helping those in need. Originally, he was trained as an explosive detection dog, but his personality was far more suited to connect and serve others.

Hodges’s work includes accompanying Officer Fredricks to local community events such as fundraisers or school functions and helping people through traumatic events. Knowing over 90 different commands, Hodges draws many smiles from his adoring fans and is always there when the community needs him.  

Gionet, Maisey, Fredricks, and Hodges have helped countless individuals with their mental health struggles and will continue to do so through the years. They bring a sense of comfort and general joy wherever they go. Given the great impact it has had, Gionet has high hopes to expand this program in the coming years, which would be of great benefit to Waterford Public Schools.