In the halls of Fieldstone Middle School, in Rockland County, New York, 13-year-old Chris Santana Palanco regularly veers off his path to greet a distinctive staff member. He has to take time to pet Maybie, a nearly three-year-old, black Labrador Retriever. As the dog and teaching partner of a special education teacher, Maybie has become an important member of the school faculty.
Whenever children bend down to cuddle the pet, Maybie reciprocates with gentle tail wags — as if responding with a silent language between them. “She helps me in a lot of different ways,” Palanco shared with Lohud.com.
For Michael Morlino, special ed teacher and Maybie’s handler, such moments are part of the norm. He’s grown accustomed to the Labrador’s popularity.
Middle school’s lovable “facility dog”
At the school, the Labrador holds the title of “facility dog,” and is adorned with a vest proudly displaying her staff ID. She is a comforting presence to many, extending her support not just to students at Fieldstone but also across various North Rockland schools. What’s more, staff often find solace by visiting the office Maybie shares with Morlino.
“She’s like another clinician in the classroom,” expressed Morlino, acknowledging Maybie’s significant role in offering support within the school environment.
Maybie is now in her second academic year on the campus, serving seventh and eighth graders. Trained by Canine Companions on Long Island, Maybie’s handler, Morlino, underwent extensive training alongside her.
Therapy dogs visiting schools are becoming more common. However, the North Rockland district is notable for its dedicated support animal assigned to a specific building. As such, these dogs require a substantial financial investment and time commitment from an assigned staff member.
Superintendent Kris Felicello highlighted the Labrador’s presence as a fitting addition to the middle school campus post-pandemic. “Ever since COVID, we’re really working with prioritizing mental health and recovery.”
Eighth-grader Helena Keffer initially hesitated to attend school, but her introduction to Maybie changed her perspective. Keffer now attends regularly, stating, “I am a lot more confident when I am around her.” The student believes Maybie can intuitively sense when she or other classmates are upset or anxious.
Labrador’s daily routine at school
At school, Maybie enjoys playtime and bathroom breaks in her designated fenced area known as “Maybie’s Meadow,” where students even built a doghouse for her.
“We make sure she’s very well taken care of,” mentioned Morlino.
Each morning, Morlino spends an hour in exercising and training sessions with the Labrador. The pup is equipped with a dog fitness tracker called “FitBark.” Subsequently, the pair engage in a day-long routine, providing support to anyone in need of assistance.
