NORWAY HIGH SCHOOL welcomed a new four-legged friend to the staff in December. Henrietta June — Henri — spends her day supporting high school students. Henri is shown with NHS guidance counselor Erin Berndt and owner and English teacher Chris Berndt. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)
NORWAY — There’s a new teacher’s pet at Norway High School and she’s bringing a smile to students who might be having a “ruff” day.
High school students face many challenges on a daily basis — socially and academically. And for many, it takes an emotional toll on them, NHS Guidance Counselor Erin Berndt said.
Berndt believes in the benefits a therapy dog can provide. And she now thinks she has the perfect candidate for the job.
Henrietta June, an almost-3-year-old goldendoodle, joined the staff at NHS in December. “Henri” belongs to NHS/Norway-Vulcan Middle School English teacher Chris Berndt, his wife, Elina, and their 14-month-old daughter, Lincoln.
“For the past couple years I have been looking into bringing in an emotional support dog,” she said. “Knowing Henri’s temperament, I just felt she would be a good fit.”
Norway High School welcomed a new four-legged friend to the staff in December. Student Jessa Rossler takes Henri for a walk. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)
However, they were unsure of what to expect, as Henri had no formal training other than being very good with commands.
Just before Christmas break, the Berndts agreed to bring Henri in on a trial basis, as they felt it would be beneficial to her as well.
Chris Berndt explained when they would leave for work, Henri would just stare out the window watching them drive away. “When I got home she was in the same spot, just waiting for someone to return,” he said. “She was never anxious about being left alone, we just got the impression that she stared at the road for eight hours until one of us drove up.”
He asked his mother if she was sure she didn’t want to bring her two dogs, but she insisted Henri was the one best suited.
And since that first day, Henri has fit into her role seamlessly.
OWNERS CHRIS AND Elina Berndt said before being brought into Norway High School, Henri would sit in the same spot and stare out the window waiting for her family members to arrive back home. (Berndt photo)
“It just seems like she has an understanding of ‘Why I’m here, and I’m going to offer myself,'” he said.
Four days a week, Henri is stationed in “Mrs. B’s” office ready to provide that extra support to those in need.
As the guidance counselor, Erin Berndt sees numerous students each day, on issues from grades to emotional struggles.
Sensing they are stressed, Henri will lay down at their feet or even put her head on their knees.
“She’s like a little cheerleader, just wanting the students to do their best and she helps out by being calm and supportive,” the counselor said. “Like she knows when someone needs a little bit of extra love.”
Support dog Henri greets Norway High School students Tory Cooper, Dominique St. Juliana, Brianna Jones and Kimberly Proctor. (Berndt photo)
High School Principal Joe Tinti agreed it’s evident when students are having those tough conversations with “Mrs. B,” they take comfort with Henri being there.
Freshman Jessa Rossler confirms that she, as well as classmates, love having Henri at school.
“She’s very welcoming when you come into the office and very friendly,” Rossler said. “She’s also fun to be around.”
Rossler added you can also see an almost instant relief when students see Henri. “You can just tell how happy they are,” she said.
Many times high schoolers don’t normally get that kind of care, as they are looked at as adults, Erin Berndt observed.
“But they really do need that — we have seen the proof in the little time Henri has been with us at school,” she said.
Teachers have expressed how much Henri has made a difference.
“She’s been a welcome addition,” Tinti said.
Henri enjoys tagging along with “Mrs. B” when she visits other high school classrooms.
“She is on the leash until we get in the room. As soon as I let her off, she will go up and down the rows to say ‘hi’ to everyone,” she said. “Honestly, the kids are more cooperative for me because she is there — they do whatever I ask of them.”
One of her favorite treats is blueberries brought in by high school secretary Tami Slagle.
The Berndts pointed out Henri isn’t bothered by noises, either.
“She knows the bell schedule really well,” said Chris Berndt, noting once that last bell rings, she will wait for him at the door because she knows it’s time to go home.
Henri’s favorite place is to lay right in the doorway of the guidance office. “She wants to make sure that ‘Mrs. B’ is still there but can see everything that’s going on in the rest of the office,” Chris Berndt said.
He noted he is the one person in the entire building that she will come at with a little bit of force. “If she hears Chris’ voice, she takes off — she gets so excited,” Erin Berndt said.
Younger children from other areas of the school will rush in at the end of the day now to see her.
Henri remembers everyone and has her favorites in the office.
In the beginning, Chris was concerned how vocal Henri might be at school. But so far, she has only let out a soft “woof” a couple times, to let “Mrs. B” know she left without her.
“Without the commands she is wondering why you left, but by telling her ‘to stay’ she knows,” Chris said, adding she is a little more vocal at home letting them know if she needs something.
Chris Berndt said that Henri being out of her “puppy stage” helped with the transition at school.
During the summer months, she was able to spend time in the guidance office while Chris taught driver’s education. “She was familiar with the surroundings minus the kids,” Erin Berndt said.
“We also bring her everywhere we can, too,” he said. “I have never been around a dog that is so naturally social but not overbearing.”
Henri demonstrates more energy at home than at school. “It’s stunning how she manages to come to a place like this full of people that she never met, and be so calm and friendly,” he said. “She knows she has a role here and does it really well.”
Henri came from a breeder in Champion and is hypo-allergenic, as her mom is a poodle and her dad was a goldendoodle.
Chris Berndt explained how he and his wife had originally picked a different female from the litter and named her “June.” Due to health complications, she was no longer available.
“We remembered another little girl with a turquoise collar from our first visit, so we picked her sight unseen,” he said. “God works in mysterious ways, I guess.”
They had gone through a million names, before they decided on Henrietta June.
“We liked the name Henri for a dog — very easy to say and for her to hear. I also had a great-aunt named Henrietta that I had never met, but it was the genesis of the name,” he said.
“We kept June for her middle name, for as sad as we were, it was a blessing,” Chris added.
Going to work now is a lot better with Henri riding shotgun. “I am sure she doesn’t sit around thinking I need a job,” he joked, “But her days are filled — this gives her purpose.”
He also loves to see the bond Henri is building with their daughter, Lincoln.
One of the best parts of his day is watching Lincoln run to the entryway — but it isn’t to say “hi to me, it’s to greet Henri and give her a hug,” he said.
This summer they will work on testing so Henri can receive her certification as an emotional support dog, as they plan to have her return in the fall.
Once her certification is complete, they will look into introducing her to the middle and elementary schools, though they have a teacher and aide who bring in their dogs as well.
“The big reason that the transition was so easy for Henri is her comfort level with Mrs. Berndt,” Chris Berndt said. “Her rapport with Henri and the environment of the guidance office is perfect for her.”
