Earlier this fall, a service dog joined the AFS community to assist student Isabel Grey ‘26. The dog is well-trained and only on campus for Grey, but there are important behaviors for students to be aware of.
“Dogs are animals that make eye contact with humans, and that can be a form of attention and affection for them. So it’s important to not make eye contact with him,” Grey said.
“It’s important to not say his name because that’s a cue to him that he needs to pay attention to me. Don’t pet him, don’t give him food, don’t step on him.”
While the dog is cute, it is important to remember to be respectful of why he is here.
“Please don’t ask me to have him perform a trick for somebody; that’s not his job,” said Grey.
Grey’s service dog placement has been in the making for a long time.
Grey said, “I applied to Susquehanna Service Dogs at the beginning of freshman year…there’s a very long application process, and they evaluate what you need very delicately. So I found out I was matched in June of this year.”
The process of working with the school has been complicated, but successful.
Grey said “I worked very closely with staff and the administration to make sure that this process was smooth. We had multiple meetings and they have been supportive.”
Student opinion of the new animal seems to be positive.
Harrison Dowdy ’26 says, “I think it’s great that people’s needs are being accommodated.”
The dog is well-trained and should not provide any distraction to other students.
Malea Musonge ‘27 says, “…the dog doesn’t bark, so it’s not really noticeable that it’s here.”
When asked if there have been any issues with the student body in regards to the canine, Grey said, “No, people have been very good at respecting the rules…Students have been really great. Teachers have been pretty great.”
Robert Spruill • Oct 13, 2025 at 4:28 pm
The article does a great job highlighting the importance of respecting service animals and the needs of their handlers. It clearly explains why Isabel Grey’s service dog is on campus and helps educate the AFS community on proper behavior around him. The quotes from Isabel and the other students make the piece feel personal and positive, showing how understanding and supportive the school environment is. It’s also nice to see how the article balances information with empathy, helping readers appreciate the purpose of service dogs. Overall, it’s a thoughtful and well- written piece that promotes awareness and inclusion at AFS.