Therapy Dog Beams As College Students Surprise Her With Birthday Song
Guest Contributor
On a small college campus in Vermont, one therapy dog has turned study breaks and stressful exam days into something unexpectedly joyful. Students at Landmark College, a school created for learners with dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and other learning differences, have fallen in love with Ashby, a friendly pit bull who practically vibrates with excitement the moment her owner pulls into the parking lot. As a therapy dog on campus, Ashby has become a quiet anchor in the middle of academic pressure, social anxiety, and the everyday challenges that come with college life.
Ashby’s person, academic advisor Heather Stinson, brings her to Landmark College twice a week. The moment they arrive, Ashby is ready to work. Students know that if they wander into Stinson’s office, they are likely to find Ashby waiting, eager to offer a furry head to scratch or a warm presence to lean against. For many, this therapy dog on campus provides exactly what they need to reset during a stressful day. The students, Stinson explains, are “madly in love with her,” and it shows in the way they seek Ashby out when things feel overwhelming.
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In addition to hanging out in the office, Ashby has become a quiet star during exam periods. Stinson brings her into classrooms when big tests are scheduled. In these moments, Ashby’s calm focus on the students is as important as any review sheet or study session. She has a habit of sensing which students are struggling with test anxiety. When she notices someone particularly tense, she will gently rest her head in their lap. That simple act of contact seems to say: you are not alone, you are safe, you can breathe. For students navigating learning differences, high expectations, and sometimes a history of negative school experiences, this kind of nonjudgmental comfort can be powerful.
Ashby is not only a presence indoors. At least once a week, Landmark College offers organized hikes on the trails surrounding campus, and Ashby is at the heart of these outings. These walks are not just exercise. They have become an easy and natural way for students to connect with one another, often without the usual social pressure. Instead of worrying about small talk, students can comment on whatever charming thing Ashby happens to be doing. Talking about the dog becomes a gentle bridge into talking with one another. For individuals who may have experienced isolation or difficulty fitting in, these Ashby-led hikes help friendships form in a way that feels relaxed and safe.
All of that care and connection came full circle when Ashby turned five years old. To celebrate her therapy dog birthday, Stinson organized a party on campus. Around 75 Landmark students showed up, filling a room with laughter, voices, and anticipation. Stinson expected a crowd but was surprised by how many people were eager to celebrate. A video shared on Ashby’s Instagram page shows the room full of students singing “Happy Birthday” to her. According to Stinson, Ashby was “beaming the entire time.” The dog seemed to understand that this moment was for her, a reflection of the love she has poured into the community and the love the community now gives back.
The visual details of the celebration are as delightful as the sentiment behind it. Ashby arrived in full party attire: a sparkly tutu, a cupcake-themed onesie, a beaded collar, and a pink crown. Stinson once insisted that she would never put clothes on her dog. That resolve faded during Ashby’s first Vermont winter, when the Mississippi rescue pup shivered in the bitter cold. A practical coat came first, then, as Stinson puts it, that coat became “the gateway.” Over time, adding outfits turned into a gentle way to bring warmth and joy not only to Ashby, but also to the people around her.
Ashby’s clothing, however, is more than cute accessories. Stinson adopted Ashby through Great Dog Rescue New England after the dog was found on the streets of Mississippi. As a pit bull, Ashby sometimes faced hesitation from people who were wary of her based on her breed alone. Stinson noticed that when Ashby wore bright or funny outfits, people tended to see the clothing first. Their curiosity about her tutu or sweater opened the door for them to really see Ashby herself. It shifted the interaction from one of caution to one of openness.
Those cheerful outfits have sparked meaningful conversations with students about stigma and being misunderstood. When people notice how Ashby’s appearance can influence the way others treat her, it often leads them to reflect on their own experiences. Many Landmark College students know intimately what it feels like to be judged or stereotyped based on labels like “learning disabled,” “distracted,” or “different,” long before anyone takes time to understand who they are. Talking about Ashby’s outfits becomes a starting point for discussing how exterior impressions can obscure the full, complex person underneath. I found this detail striking, because it highlights how a simple, playful choice can create room for serious, compassionate dialogue.
Importantly, Ashby seems to enjoy her wardrobe. According to Stinson, the dog gets excited when the outfits come out because she recognizes what they mean. Clothing is not a costume forced on her for a quick photo. It is part of the ritual of going to campus, seeing her friends, and stepping into the role she clearly loves. The sparkly tutu or bright sweater is a sign that she is headed back to the place that feels like a second home.
Within that home, Ashby has become more than a mascot. She is a steady, positive presence at a college designed for students who may have been overlooked or underestimated elsewhere. Her impact appears both simple and profound. A dog places her head in someone’s lap before an exam. A student who feels lonely joins a group hike because a friendly pit bull will be there. A conversation about a beaded collar and pink crown leads to an honest discussion about stereotypes and self-worth. Across all these moments, Ashby serves as a reminder that support can look gentle and joyful, and that healing sometimes begins with something as small as a wagging tail in a welcoming doorway.
In Stinson’s words, Ashby “loves her school.” She is deeply loved in return and is quietly changing lives with each visit, each walk, each shared birthday song. For the Landmark College community, she is not only a therapy dog. She is a bridge between people, a comfort during stress, and a living symbol of how acceptance and kindness can transform a campus into a true community.
