Huber Street Elementary Now Has Oakley The Therapy Dog

Secaucus NJ

02 November, 2021

2:44 PM

Description

SECAUCUS, NJ — How's this story for a change of pace from the non-stop NJ election news? Oakley, the therapy dog that works with the Secaucus Police Department, is also now making the rounds at Huber Street Elementary School this fall. It was Zahava Pianko, the Huber Street school psychologist, who asked the SPD if they could "loan" Oakley to the school a few days a month. Pianko said she noticed that some students were greatly struggling with anxiety, particularly around coronavirus, controversial current events and the order from the governor to wear masks. Pianko said Oakley's presence makes the kids feel more comfortable and better able to socialize. She even theorizes that having the dog around can help students do better academically! For example, Pianko said she noticed improvements in students' reading fluency skills when they sat around Oakley in small groups of five. Oakley is personally owned by Secaucus Police Officer Taylor Ensmann. Oakley is not a trained police K-9 but, as Patch reported he is a certified therapy dog used for things like comforting children in a domestic violence incident or after a house fire, at street fairs and to keep senior citizens company. SPD has Strobe, the trained K9, as a patrol dog, under handler Officer Vincent DeFazio. Strobe just joined the force this year and he's already helped make arrests. Read: Meet Strobe, Secaucus Police Dept.'s First Police Canine Secaucus Woman Injured In Home Invasion, Police Dog Nabs Suspect (June 2021) Now, Patrolman Ensmann and Oakley stop by Huber Street School twice a month, but the department aims to have the dog there more often. Additionally, local resident Stephanie Finelli and her trained therapy dog Chipper will also be coming to Secaucus schools. "The Secaucus Police Department is delighted to participate in this program where the sole beneficiaries are the youth of this town," said Police Chief Dennis Miller. "We pride ourselves on community interaction and engagement and Police Officer Ensmann has taken that bar to new levels through the use of Oakley." "I'm thrilled to have Oakley as part of the team. This is an amazing opportunity for our school," said Huber Street School Principal Rob Valente. Subscribe to Patch hyper-local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe Contact this Patch reporter: [email protected]