A New Jersey high school just honored a very special graduate in the class of 2023. A golden retriever named Spiffy has completed his obedience and certification training to become a therapy dog! This four-legged scholar has a history serving the Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School; he’s even named after the SPF school district. On June 21, Spiffy was included in the ceremony as an honorary grad, cap and all!
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As a therapy dog, Spiffy used his winning personality and adorable face to brighten everyone’s school day. Whether he’s comforting someone with anxiety or making a celebrity appearance at the Mental Health Awareness Club, the good boy never fails to spread joy.
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“Due to COVID, a lot of people’s mental health declined,”said Ethan Filler, a recent high school graduate, via ABC News. “Especially when we came back, it was definitely a light in the hallway to see Spiffy. It was happy.”
The teen added that Spiffy helped him decompress after exams. He said he made the best study buddy.
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“After you took a test for an hour and a half, it’s definitely nice to get just a mental breather and just relax,” he said. “And even pet a dog.”
Dr. Joan Mast, the superintendent of the school district, also happens to be Spiffy’s owner. According to her, the golden retriever has a busy summer ahead of him after graduating. He’ll be providing tail-wags and cuddles to students enrolled in the school’s summer programs.
You can find the source of this story’s featured image here.
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