South Ridge Elementary School students and staff celebrated kindness—and said goodbye to a beloved member of the Roadrunner family—during the school’s Kindness Kickoff Assembly on Monday, August 31.
Led by Foundations for Learning teacher Jeanne Carmen, the assembly helped students explore what it means to Be Kind, Be Strong, and Be Well. The gathering also provided an opportunity to recognize Fergie, school counselor Anne Lamping’s therapy dog, as she officially retires from her duties at South Ridge.
For the past four years, Fergie has been a calming and comforting presence at the school, providing countless snuggles, pets, and moments of joy for students and staff. Now, she’ll trade the hallways and classrooms of South Ridge for more time on the farm, where she plans to spend some of her retirement chasing horses and baking in the sun like a true Spudder.
“Fergie and I are both so proud to be part of this district!” Lamping said.
Fergie even shared a retirement message of her own.
“Thank you for the millions of waves, snuggles, pets, cards and love you have shared with us over the last four years together!” Fergie said. “This is not goodbye. I’ll visit again soon.”
Fergie’s impact extends beyond the students and staff she has supported. As South Ridge’s first therapy dog, she helped pave the way for therapy animals to become part of the Ridgefield School District community.
“We owe Fergie a lot for being the trailblazer for a therapy animal policy in our school district,” South Ridge Principal Tawny Malone said. “Thank you for all of the lives you’ve touched, Fergs! There is no way to repay you for the years of calm and happiness that you gave to South Ridge. Thank you for bringing our Roadrunners joy for the last four years.”
While Fergie is hanging up her therapy-dog vest, another four-legged friend is preparing to follow in her pawprints. Lamping is currently training Jimmy Dog, a dachshund, to become a certified therapy animal and eventually join the South Ridge counseling team.
“Our sweet Fergie is passing the torch to Jimmy Dog, and we can’t wait!” Malone said.
Thank you, Fergie, for four wonderful years of comfort, companionship, and joy at South Ridge. The entire Roadrunner community wishes you a retirement filled with plenty of farm adventures—and all the belly rubs you deserve.