There’s a special four-legged visitor making a big difference at Lake George Elementary School (LGES). Ellie, a certified therapy dog, has become a beloved part of the school community, bringing comfort, smiles and a little extra excitement to students and staff alike.
After seeing the positive connection therapy dogs had already made at Lake George Jr.-Sr. High School, LGES Principal Bill Levett wanted to explore whether a similar program would be a good fit for the elementary school.
“With the positive experiences we had already seen at the high school, bringing a therapy dog into the elementary school felt like a natural fit,” Levett said. “We wanted to give it a try and see how our students and staff would respond.”
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Ellie’s visits have become so popular that her schedule is often booked a month in advance.
Ellie is accompanied by Kim Sicard, a retired Lake George Elementary School teacher who spent 35 years teaching kindergarten in the district. For Sicard, bringing a therapy dog into a school setting is a natural extension of her passion for education.
“When I taught kindergarten, I had a friend who raised dogs through Guiding Eyes, and she would bring them into my classroom once a year,” Sicard recalled. “It was a wonderful opportunity to teach students how to interact with dogs and understand the important jobs they can do.”
After retiring, Sicard welcomed Ellie into her life and quickly recognized that her gentle temperament made her an ideal candidate for therapy work. Ellie completed a year of training and passed five tests to become certified.
Ellie has now been a therapy dog for five and a half years, visiting hospitals, nursing homes and schools. She has been bringing her special talents to the Lake George school community since 2021. While Ellie certainly provides comfort and emotional support, her role at LGES extends well beyond simply being a friendly face in the hallways.
One of the program’s greatest benefits came at the beginning of the school year, particularly for students who are new to the building or adjusting to unfamiliar surroundings. Ellie provided a calming presence, offering a quiet space and gentle transition that helped students feel more comfortable and connected.
The program has also become a valuable educational resource. Teachers have incorporated Ellie into classroom lessons and activities, creating opportunities for students to learn in engaging and memorable ways.
“Ellie has been a tremendous boost to the morale and energy of the school,” Sicard said. “What makes the program especially valuable is that she isn’t just here for social-emotional support. Teachers are finding meaningful ways to incorporate her into classroom content and lessons.”
Education is also at the heart of Sicard’s work with Ellie. Before students interact with her, they learn about the responsibilities of working dogs and the important differences between therapy dogs, emotional support animals and service dogs.
“One of the biggest parts of the program is making sure students understand what a working dog is,” Sicard explained. “We talk about the differences between therapy dogs, emotional support animals and service dogs, and why it’s important to always ask before approaching or petting a dog. We want students to be educated about dogs before they interact with them.”
These lessons help students develop respect for animals, understand appropriate behavior around dogs and recognize the important roles working animals play in their communities.
For Sicard, returning to the school where she spent 35 years as an educator has been especially meaningful. Although she is no longer teaching kindergarten, she continues to make a difference in the lives of Lake George students, this time with Ellie by her side.