Hank, a Golden Retriever at Lyndonville school district, completes therapy dog training

Provided photos: Lyndonville School Board President Jerod Thurber, center, congratulates Hank on completing therapy dog training. Sharon Smith, the district superintendent, is at right and Jason Barnum, the school resource officer, is at left.

Jason Barnum holds Hank soon after the dog became a part of the school community about a year ago in January 2024.

LYNDONVILLE – The school district celebrated a special graduation during the Board of Edcation meeting on Tuesday.

Hank, an English Cream Golden Retriever, has completed therapy dog training. Hank has been in the schools for about a year with his handler, Deputy Jason Barnum of the Orleans County Sheriff’s office. Barnum is also the school resource officer.

“Deputy Barnum and Hank have certainly made a positive impact on the students and staff at the Lyndonville School,” said Sheriff Chris Bourke. “I appreciate the partnership the Sheriff’s Office has with Lyndonville School District to provide a school resource deputy and Hank.”

Bourke said Hank and Barnum are a “dynamic duo” that make a positive impact in the school community, by fostering trust, safety and emotional support for students and staff.

Hank stays with Barnum and his family when not at school. Hank doesn’t do police work  but is a school therapy dog, supporting the social, emotional and mental health of students.

As part of Hank’s year-long training, school counselors, administrators, and members of faculty and staff also attended trainings to develop programing, supervise Hank in a school setting, and support him. Hank and Barnum received training from the Eye of Oden K9 Training from Kent.

Hank is at Lyndonville through a collaboration between the school, county and Orleans County Sheriff’s Department. The Lyndonville Area Foundation and the Lyndonville Lions Club donated towards materials and supplies for Hank.