After seven years of service in the building, RB must say goodbye to a very special friend. Snuggles the therapy dog passed away on Wednesday December 9th due to a spinal cord disease.
In his time at RB, the King Charles Cavalier made over 100 visits to the British home as a part of the therapy dog program. He went to Maywood courtrooms to comfort students testifying in domestic violence situations and worked with the Core students as a means to improve communication. In Oak Park, Snuggles was the first dog in the READ program and one of only five dogs to be allowed in the library.
He also worked at the Oak Park and Westlake hospitals as a motivator for physical therapy patients, provided motivation for ESL students to increase their confidence and public speaking, assisted in many classroom presentations on humane education, and helped many students escape a period of ADA.
Snuggles was famous for escaping the office to sneak into classrooms with known treat supplies. He knew when to crawl into the laps of grieving students and to bark at those running in the halls.
In an e-mail to all staff members, Snuggle’s owner, Mari Mortensen expressed her gratitude for everyone’s kind expressions of sympathy.
“Snuggles was my Best Buddy,” said Mortensen in the e-mail.
Snuggles provided countless moments of comfort and smiles to students and staff. He will be remembered and missed by many here at RB.
