Students at Nassakeag Elementary School were visited by a four-legged friend who helped teach them the importance of paying it forward.

Local author Sarah Zagaja visited Nassakeag to read her story, “Raising Betty.” “Raising Betty” paints the picture of how Zagaja and her family raised a golden retriever puppy to become a guide dog. They began raising guide dogs as a way to pay forward the kindness they received after losing their home in a fire. Now Zagaja spreads her message of “Paying it Forward with Paws” to students across the area.

During Zagaja’s first visit to Nassakeag Elementary, she brought her therapy dog Fenway. Fenway was initially trained to be a guide dog and showed off some of her tricks to students during an assembly. Students learned the dos and don’ts of how to interact with therapy and service dogs, as well as they many ways they benefit humans’ lives.

Fenway has been visiting classrooms at Nassakeag Elementary School since her first visit. Students were excited to interact with her and it was evident Fenway brought joy to each and every classroom.

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Date Added: 5/3/2023