Students and staff gathered in the PAC Cafe to celebrate the seventh birthday of M-A’s beloved service dog, Ginger, on Friday. Since joining the campus last fall, Ginger has become a cherished member of the M-A community by providing comfort, emotional support, and smiles to students and staff. “We threw this party to celebrate the District’s canine program and animal-assisted interventions,” Dr. Edith Bennet, Ginger’s caretaker, said.
People gathered in the PAC Cafe to sing to Ginger and eat cake, cupcakes, and cookies. There were also treats offered for guests to bring home to their own dogs and stickers with Ginger’s face on them.
Olive, a five-month-old black Labrador in service training, attended the party with Paws for Purple Hearts, an organization that helps veterans with mobility challenges and PTSD. Curious and energetic, Olive quickly became a hit among students. Small groups gathered around her, taking turns to offer her treats and pets.
The celebration welcomed another special guest, Ocho, a miniature horse from the National Center for Equine-Facilitated Therapy. “Some students have been out to our farm, and they love Ocho. We do all kinds of mental health programs that he participates in,” Matt Gridley, a NCEFT staff member, said. Ocho captured the hearts of everyone, with people eager to take photos, pet him, and learn about how he provides therapy.
“This is my favorite event that the school has planned,” junior Kylie Cox said. “I think it is very cute and fun, and we should honor our service dog and the work she does at M-A.”
