Memorial starts the school year with a new therapy dog

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) - There’s a new freshman walking the halls of Memorial High School, and he does it on four legs.

This is the first full school year for emotional support dog Ralph.

“Whenever he has his little cape on, he knows he’s working,” said Ralph’s owner and Dean of Students John Hurley.

Hurley says he heard of other schools utilizing emotional support animals, and thought, why not Ralph?

“He has the Memorial, one, being named after Ralph Weinzapfel, and he does a really good job around people,” Hurley said.

Ralph did a year of training to become certified to be in schools. As the students went back to class this week, Ralph started his first full school year as a Tiger.

“He is eager to see people when we get to school, he’s not on leash very often, he stays with me,” Hurley said. “We have some students that are not real fond of dogs, and it’s kind of crazy how much he picks up on that, and he kind of avoids them.”

Ralph’s main job is being there for students and teachers on bad days and bringing smiles on good days.

“Being the Dean of Students, typically when people come see me, there’s something that’s motivated their visit to my office,” Hurley said. “The first thing you’ll notice when Ralph is in the room, it takes the top off almost all situations. Everybody calms down.”

When he’s not with Hurley, Ralph might stop by the nurse’s room or sensory room, to check on students and comfort them when they’re not at their best.

“It gives them something else to focus on, and it changes the temperament of the room, and it’s definitely a resource for us,” Hurley said.

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