May 3, 2023

​​Dear Columbus Academy Families,

We have an exciting new member of our staff arriving this summer – Columbus Academy’s very own Community Dog. Through the loving efforts of Associate Head of Lower School (and former Honorary Chair of Student Support Services) Brelle Farrenkopf, who has worked for five years to find a service dog appropriate for our school, we have found a highly trained Facility Dog who will eventually split his time between the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools.

Mrs. Farrenkopf and Middle School Counselor Amy Brooks applied for a Milt Taylor Professional Development Grant, available to all faculty, and received the funding for the purchase and training of this dog.

Facility Dogs are working dogs specifically trained to help people in settings such as schools, hospitals, retirement communities and other public services.

The presence of a dog can have a tremendously positive impact on the well-being of all members of the community. Benefits for schools include inspiring academic motivation at times when students feel low, reducing stress and strengthening camaraderie, school spirit and support for the ongoing development of social and emotional skills at all grade levels.

While our dog is technically a Facility Dog, a term relevant to his training and licensure, his job title here at Columbus Academy is Community Dog.

Our Community Dog will be trained to work with students and staff specifically in our school. Though his present name is Oxford, we want to – and have been encouraged to – change his name to something the community can get behind, so we will soon be asking for input from students, faculty and staff about what his name should become.

Oxford is a 2-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever. He has undergone training since he was just a few weeks old to ensure that he is well-behaved and responsive to the needs of a community, and he will continue to receive training particular to the roles we discover for him at Academy.

Some ways that Oxford may be involved in our school include:

• Visiting classrooms and providing emotional support to all students during busy, stressful and anxious times  
• Assisting students with social or emotional regulation
• Helping to promote positive behavior and social skills in students
• Being a supportive mascot at events
• Participating in school counseling sessions as needed

We understand that some students and faculty may have concerns about the presence of a dog in the school, even though Oxford is extensively trained to be well-behaved in all settings. There will be plans for Oxford to avoid people who do not want contact with him for any reason, including allergies or anxieties. Hospitals and other schools have comprehensive protocols with such situations, and we plan to employ those here.

There will be many communications over the summer to plan for our Community Dog’s introduction to Columbus Academy next fall but in the meantime, let’s plan for his arrival by helping to name him so we can all begin to envision him with us.

We hope you share in our excitement as we welcome our Community Dog to our school.

Sincerely,

Melissa

More information on our Community Dog and how he came to be “ours”

When will Oxford arrive at Columbus Academy?

Oxford will be moving from his current home at Paws With A Cause in Michigan to his new home in Gahanna in a couple of weeks. He will get acquainted with the sights and smells of Academy over the summer and will start visiting the Lower School gradually in the fall. Once his integration there is complete, he will begin his work in the other two divisions – likely the Upper School followed by the Middle School – later in the school year.

Please note that with Oxford’s presence at our school, our protocols regarding pets at school does not change. Oxford is a working member of the staff but just happens to be the first canine (and gets to nap a lot more than the humans!).

Where will he live?

Oxford’s owners will be Brelle and Stefan Farrenkopf. Oxford is joining our school as a result of a Milt Taylor Grant that was presented by Brelle Farrenkopf and Amy Brooks following Brelle’s pursuit of this initiative for several years. Brelle and Stefan will be Oxford’s primary facility handlers in the Lower and Upper Schools, and Amy Brooks will be his handler in the Middle School.

Brelle, Stefan, and Amy will receive training as handlers and will be responsible for training other faculty and staff who would like that role. Oxford will live in their rooms but will be available to folks all over the campus.

Will he have free reign on the campus?

Oxford will always be under the close supervision of a trained handler and will be leashed unless contained in a room or office, or in situations deemed safe by the handler.

How well-trained is he?

Oxford underwent training as a service dog for the disabled and, like 70% of such dogs, he was not successfully matched because his skills and personality did not match the specific needs of the recipients at the time. He has since spent four months in training for becoming a Facility Dog. However, like our students, trained dogs may regress when put in a new environment. That is why his training will continue with a 12-week curriculum tailored to Columbus Academy. During that time, a representative from Paws With A Cause will visit the school weekly to train Oxford and his handlers.

Can he visit classrooms or school events?

Yes! That’s the point! As our Community Dog – our preferred term – Oxford can participate in your activities or just be a fun and calming presence. Students could read to him. He could explore with classes on Forest Friday. He can greet kids at morning dropoff. He can be a presence in a counselor’s office when a child is discouraged or sad. We know we will find many ways that Oxford can be a positive presence for students and faculty.

“Oxford”... really?

Yes, really. Not only do we want to change his name so he can best represent our school and its extensive 231-acre campus, but when he is at home with the Farrenkopfs, his sibling will be Oscar and those names are just a bit too similar.

Keep on the lookout because in a few days students, faculty and staff will be invited to suggest names, and the school will vote from among the top contenders.

What about those of us who don’t like dogs, are allergic, or are afraid of dogs?

We will work hard to make sure that everyone feels safe and welcome on campus, either because of or in spite of our Community Dog. We will seek guidance from PAWS’ experienced staff to ensure we follow best practices and accommodate those who need to avoid areas where dogs may be present.

If you would like more information about facility dogs or Paws With A Cause, visit their website. We recommend this video about Maple, a PAWS facility dog at Emerson Elementary in Michigan.