More than a mascot: How Able the therapy dog is healing the Wallowa School District
By Tracy Christopher on Friday, February 13th, 2026 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
WALLOWA — In the hallways of the Wallowa School District, one staff member never forgets a name, never judges a bad day, and greets every student with a rhythmic wag of a tail. His name is Able, and while the Cougars may be the official mascot, many would say this black Labrador Retriever is the true heart of the school.
As a certified therapy dog and an integral member of the staff, Able has quietly become one of the district’s most powerful tools for emotional healing, literacy development, and community connection.
Born from a need
The vision for Able began during a season when staff noticed a rise in students struggling emotionally. Traditional supports were in place, but Wallowa K-12 Principal Sara Hayes and Librarian Heather Howard realized something was missing.
“We realized the need for our kids and how much a therapy dog could bring to our kiddos,” Howard recalled. The sentiment was echoed across the administration: the school needed a specialized kind of support that only a four-legged friend could provide.
For Howard, an experienced trainer who grew up bonding with support from black Labs, the choice of breed was immediate. However, finding the right temperament required an exhaustive search. Howard contacted nearly 30 breeders before finding one who raised dogs for veterans PTSD programs. They needed a dog with a “therapy temperament”— a calm energy that can work all day accepting every person, environment, and emotion, with the intuition to sense crisis and react with comfort.
Able was the perfect match. By five months old, he had already earned his Canine Good Citizen certification. He later achieved his formal Love on a Leash Therapy Pet certification, which required rigorous “clinicals”, some performed at one of the school district’s community partners, the Wallowa Public Library—a testament to the strong partnership between the school and the city’s public resources.
A dual-threat professional
Able’s resume is more impressive than many humans’. Beyond his therapy work, he is a certified Search and Rescue (SAR) canine, trained in wilderness tracking/trailing, urban tracking/trailing, and human remains detection.
Interestingly, his SAR training was a community effort. Local students helped lay trails and “hide” for him during his training sessions. “Able has had a foundation with kids from day one,” says Howard.
A day in the life
Able’s workday begins at the top floor of the school, winding down through the halls to greet staff and students before ending at the front doors as the buses unload.
“Parents hug Able. Kids hug Able,” Howard shares. “His day starts with lots of pets and lots of love coming in and love going out.”
While he spends much of his time in the high school library, Able is always “on call.” He has an uncanny ability to sense hormonal changes and emotional distress. Howard notes that when a student in crisis enters the library, Able often gets up without a command and simply lies down at their feet.
The impact is profound. Staff members recall instances where students, overwhelmed by thoughts of self-harm or deep grief, were able to open up to counselors only after finding comfort in Able’s presence.
Able the literacy coach
In the afternoons, Able shifts gears into his role as a literacy coach for elementary students. Through the “Reading with Able” program, students have the opportunity to read aloud to him.
For a struggling reader, a human listener can feel like a critic. But Able is a captive, non-judgmental audience. One young student, who initially struggled with basic literacy, grew so confident reading to Able that she began writing her own stories. She eventually produced an entire series to share with her family.
“She’s become a writer, as well as a reader,” Howard says. “That hits you right in the heart.”
A lasting connection
The bond Able shares with Wallowa extends beyond the school walls. The school and the Wallowa Public Library maintain a vibrant partnership; currently, the school library is supporting students participating in the Public Library’s “Tiny Art Show.” Able remains a frequent visitor to both locations, serving as the common thread between the two.
While administrators point to improved attendance as a sign of Able’s success, the true evidence is in the culture. Able is so much a part of the “crew” that he has his own Letterman jacket and an official staff photo on the district (website. https://www.apps.wallowa.k12.or.us/about-us-faq/wsd-staff)
In Wallowa, Able is far more than just a dog—he is a living testament to the idea that sometimes, the most profound way to help a student find their voice is through a pair of listening ears, a wagging tail, and an open heart.
