There’s a new “big dog” on campus at Codman Academy. Literally.
Pippin, a 3-year-old pure-bred boxer, is the most recent, and arguably the cutest, addition to the charter school’s staff roster. Formerly a competitive show dog, Pippin began his new position as the school’s “facility dog” in February.
“Pippy didn’t love the ring the way his brothers did,” said his owner and breeder, Elizabeth Reynolds Lupo. “He finished his championship, so you can go and continue to get more points and go for national standings, or they can transition into other activities, or just be a home pet.
“He really loves kids and loves working and being out and doing his job, so it seemed like a natural fit for him to be a facility dog and come and spread some joy.”
The retired American Kennel Club (AKC) champion’s role includes welcoming students to school each morning, strolling the halls during transition periods, and offering his support presence whenever he’s called to duty.
Though boxers are known for being a high-energy breed, Pippin is very poised. “As soon as he gets here, he goes right to the front and waits for the kids to come in,” said Reynolds Lupo, who is also the school’s chief of staff. “He takes his job so seriously.”
Elizabeth Reynolds Lupo with Pippin. Cassidy McNeeley photo
“He brings a lot of joy to the school,” said ninth-grade student Erianna. “Whenever people walk in, they love seeing him. He’s very gentle.”
Pippin’s presence has had a paws-itive impact on school attendance, too, with kids getting to campus early just to spend extra time with the pup. Fifteen-year-old Carlia said the first thing she does when she gets to school is check on her four-legged friend.
But students and staff can also request to see Pippin throughout the day. So far, he has joined kindergarten students for read-alouds, attended assemblies with the middle schoolers, and acted as a demo dog for upper school students in the Harvard Medical School’s MEDscience program.
“We have a junior [Bryannah] who is really interested in veterinary sciences. Everything the kids were learning was human based, so we did some work with local vets and did some comparative animal physiology for her,” said Reynolds Lupo. “She was able to learn how to take Pippin’s vitals, his pulse, etc. She’s been practicing on him as her patient when everyone else is practicing on humans.”
Said 16-year-old Bryannah: “I like Pippin at school because I want to be a veterinarian, and he can help me. I’ve heard his heartbeat and felt his pulse. Plus, if you’re sad, he can cheer you up.”
Sometimes that little boost of serotonin is needed during exams. “I’ve had kids ask when they have accommodations to do their testing if he could come in during their break and be a little relief for them during high-stakes testing,” said Reynolds Lupo.
Pippin, though, is needed widely. He spends a large chunk of his time in therapy sessions with school social worker Jackie Sweeney, who says, “When the kids see him, their nervous system totally resets.
“I had a student who was having a panic attack, and the dog came down. Dogs can’t say anything to them, so they can’t say either the right thing or the wrong thing; they are just a bundle of joy.”
She added, “Whenever we say, let’s get regulated, with Pippin, the students are regulating without realizing it. There’s no pressure on them. It’s really helping in the moments of shutdown or distress or escalation.”
Sweeney said that as the kids pet and play with Pippin, they tend to relax in the session. “He helps create emotional safety, but also when it comes to one-on-one sessions, he helps with the emotional defensiveness,” she noted. “Students are able to open up faster with him there because it reduces the anxiety and creates a space that feels safe and not so clinical.”
The head of school at the Academy, Dr. Derrick Ciesla, is happy with his new top dog. “Pippin is in infancy here, and I feel like he’s done exactly what he came to do. With more exposure to our school community, he’ll be integrated more and more and become a bigger part of our organization in days to come,” said Ciesla, who joked about a rise in cleaning costs.
He, Sweeney, and Reynolds Lupo all think other schools should get facility pets.
“But, not our Pippin,” 15-year-old Deajha quickly clarified. “He’s one of a kind,” added Reynolds Lupo.
