Over the past year, students at John S. Hobart Elementary School and William Floyd Elementary School have been treated to a friendly (and furry) face in their hallways and classrooms – Kopa, a three-year old golden retriever and certified therapy dog, owned by school psychologists Joshua Zelin (Hobart) and Lorie Zelin (WFE).

The AKC defines therapy dogs as those that accompany their owner to volunteer in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, libraries, assisted living facilities, shelters and even courtrooms.

“Whether they’re working with a child who is learning to read, visiting a patient in a hospital or a senior in assisted living, therapy dogs and their owners work together as a team to improve the lives of other people,” according to the AKC. “A therapy dog can provide a valuable sense of reassurance, joy or calmness to people…”

Kopa completed his basic and advanced training, pet therapy certifications and passed the American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen training program. Mr. and Mrs. Zelin are also both certified handlers through Therapy Dogs of Long Island.

While Kopa is a certified therapy dog, students are not receiving therapy, but interacting with their canine pal in an educational manner.

In 2023, Kopa joined the William Floyd school community in a pilot project at Hobart and WFE, and participated in the 2023 and 2024 Special Education K-12 summer programs.

The pilot was so successful that he has returned to both schools for a second year.

Kopa has become a local celebrity at both schools, making regular appearances throughout the school year and enjoying the attention, hugs and pets from all of his elementary school friends, and, even more so, he enjoys making a positive impact in the lives of students each day. Kopa, as therapy dogs do in a school setting, provides comfort and happiness to students, helps alleviate general school-based anxiety, helps them practice their reading, writing and communication skills by being a non-judgmental listener, and assists with general social and emotional learning. 

According to Mr. Zelin, Kopa also helps students with their emotions and serves as a teaching tool for empathy and compassion. His presence also helps relieve anxiety and brings joy to those he interacts with.

Additionally, Kopa has proven to be a tremendous asset within the classroom. Teachers have used him as an incentive for improvement both behaviorally and academically.

Kopa has become a significant part of both schools and has a knack for bringing smiles to those he interacts with. He has also helped students become familiar with their school psychologists if they are ever in need of support. Mr. and Mrs. Zelin’s beloved Kopa has become an overwhelmingly positive part of the Hobart and WFE school communities.