By: Shaylyn Melquist

She may look like one, but she’s not a toy.

DeeDee is a therapy dog at Warren Area High School.  She helps make students and teachers happy, and those who are feeling down get to pet her or play with her in the mornings to help them cheer up.  

“I love her. She makes me happy,” said Hannah Cobb, grade 9. 

Rebecca Delprince, DeeDee’s Pawsitive Support Handler, has been a school psychologist for seven years. She got DeeDee in October 2023. DeeDee started coming to the school as a therapy dog last year.  DelPrince said DeeDee is one year old, and said DeeDee has had training to be a service dog.  

 “I think DeeDee helps a lot of kids deal with the stress of school and is a good addition to the school,” said Serenity Farren, grade 10. 

DeeDee is a Golden Doodle from New Hope in Bradford. New Hope is a rescue for animals that are hurt or not properly taken care of. 

Some people might have concerns about how much DeeDee and other therapy dogs cost the school district. However, the school district hosts annual fundraisers for the district dogs. The last fundraiser, Pawstoberfest, was held earlier in October.