Although HAHS is excited to welcome new dog Othello from The Seeing Eye puppy raising program, nobody ever forgets the dogs of the past. Raphi was a Labrador Retriever and spent October 22-23 here at HAHS during the 2023-2024 school year. He was well loved by all students and staff and although his time here was short-lived, everyone knew and loved him.
Many students miss and remember him. Sophomore Kaylea Detweiler says, “He made freshman year more memorable and welcoming. Having a dog in the building just somehow made the year better,” although Kaylea was not in the library often and only really saw him before school each morning in front of the cafeteria, she still remembers Raphi and how he made her day just by being there.
Sophomore Landon Poulios had a closer relationship with Raphi. As a former Publications student, he was in the library almost every day and would often visit and spend time with Raphi. “He was always happy and super energetic and I just loved seeing him everyday,” Landon states, “I miss him but I am super proud of him for where he is now.”
After Raphi’s time here at HAHS and finishing his training and graduating at TSE in Morristown, NJ, he was placed in Missouri and is now assisting a visually impaired semi-retired musician. “They will take leisure walks together, run errands together, and Raphi will be going to his gigs with him as well,” Raphi’s Instructor, Ruthanne Dewey wrote in a follow-up letter. Although Raphi is greatly missed, HAHS is proud to have seen him graduate and move on to fulfill his destiny of being a guide dog.
