Therapy dogs comfort students after high school shooting in Evergreen

Two golden Labs work alongside Principal Skyler Artes at Evergreen High School to aid student healing. The support dogs help youths recover following a campus shooting that injured two peers last year. They greet teenagers every morning and visit classrooms southwest of Denver.

The animals offer affection to teenagers who still process the violent event. Norene joined the staff in March. Polenta arrived in August.

Junior Fisher Helbraun seeks out the golden retrievers at the start of each morning.

“Every morning after I get off the bus, I have to say hi to these two. It’s my first thing I do every day,” Helbraun said.

The canines belong to a special program run by Canine Companions. The California nonprofit matches trauma support dogs with facilities free of charge. The animals are the first placed in a school following campus gun violence.

Golden Labs Provide Daily Comfort

A 16-year-old student fired a revolver inside the building during lunch in September 2025. Two students sustained gunshot wounds before the shooter turned the weapon on himself. The shooter later died.

Artes sheltered in the main office beside students and staff during the gunfire. She stayed on campus until the final person evacuated safely. Canine Companions sent dogs to comfort families at a reunification site.

Senior Maddie Cornwell visits the dogs in the hallways between classes.

“The second that I see them in the hallway, or I go out of my way to come see them, it just brightens my day, it makes it so much better,” Cornwell said. “That kind of innocent joy and love that they have to share, they just give it to humans so easily and it just makes you so happy to see them play and run around.”

Artes serves as the official handler for Norene during school hours. Lead counselor and volleyball coach Amy Wells handles Polenta. Both staff members completed specialized handler training through the nonprofit organization.

The organization trains puppies for months to master dozens of complex tasks. The dogs learn basic commands alongside methods to calm people facing distress. They learn to remain calm in Evergreen school areas that could trigger trauma.

Nonprofit chief executive Paige Mazzoni praised the bond between students and service animals.

“What’s really powerful about dogs in this type of work is that they have a lot of heart, they have high intelligence, they respond very well to people and to forming a partnership, and it’s really the power of the human-canine bond,” Mazzoni said.

Senior Quinn McEvers pets the animals daily to lift her spirits before class.

“I would think people do a lot better in school when they’re actually in a good mood or when they’re excited about going to school,” McEvers said.

Support Animals Boost Morale

The four-legged companions earned royal titles at a recent football game. Students crowned the pair prince and princess during homecoming festivities. Both dogs wore royal capes and crowns across the field.

The animals stay on duty at the facility for eight to ten years. Artes said the school recorded a 100% graduation rate despite the tragedy. She plans to request successor animals whenever the current pair reaches retirement in Evergreen.

Canine Companions places assistance dogs with schools and health centers across the United States. Trained facility dogs help people build emotional resilience during recovery from community crises. Handlers complete specialized coursework to guide the animals through stressful public environments.

The two golden retrievers remain on campus each weekday to assist staff and teens. Dogs give unconditional care. Their steady presence provides daily reassurance to everyone in the building.