Samson, the Maple Grove therapy dog belonging to Jennifer and Matt Hewitt, who is set to meet the school board during the upcoming meeting on Feb 12. Submitted photo

BEMUS POINT — Bemus Point Central School’s two therapy dogs will be meeting the district’s board of education at its next meeting.

The meeting is set to take place Monday at 6 p.m. in the Maple Grove cafeteria, 3980 Dutch Hollow Road. The two dogs, Samson and Ledger, work in both buildings of the school.

Ledger is owned and trained by fourth grade teacher Tammy Haas and is a frequent member of Haas’s classroom.

Samson is owned and trained by English teachers Jennifer and Matt Hewitt and spends his time at Maple Grove. The Hewitts have also collaborated with Maple Grove’s Life Skills classroom to allow students to take him around the school.

Superintendent Joseph Reyda said both dogs have been good additions to the school buildings.

“Samson started to visit the Maple Grove students in 2020, but the pandemic forced it to end,” Reyda said. “He has now been able to return. Ledger just completed his therapy dog training and has started to transition to the elementary school. He is part of one grade four classroom.”

Reyda added that since Ledger has just recently finished his training, he has become an important part of Haas’s classroom, where he has gotten to know all of the students and “is always ready for a pat on the head.”

Samson is often seen in the halls and visiting classrooms with students throughout the day. Reyda said it was decided that now was a good time for the school board to meet both dogs because of Ledger’s training.

“Since Ledger just completed his training and has become a regular guest in the elementary school, we felt it was time for the board to officially meet both therapy dogs,” he said. “Both animals provide an amazing sense of comfort to students. It’s hard to explain, but there is a definite sense of calmness when the therapy dogs are around.”

Additionally, Reyda said training Samson and Ledger to be therapy dogs was something that Haas and the Hewitts did on their own. Reyda said the school is grateful for their work.

“We’re all grateful for the hard work and dedication that Mrs Haas and Mr and Mrs Hewitt have put into the training of their animals,” Reyda said. “This is not something that the district required them to do. Rather, it was what they knew would benefit students. They represent the best of Bemus Point.”

Reyda encouraged community members to come out to the meeting and to also get involved in the therapy dog program.

“We can never have enough good programs for our students,” Reyda said.