Meet Maybie: Wonder Girls Ambassador Crowned 1st Facility Dog in the U.S. to Receive Teacher Tenure

In a groundbreaking moment for education, student wellness, and therapeutic support services, Maybie — a beloved facility dog at Fieldstone Middle School in Rockland County, New York — is making history as the only facility dog in the United States to receive teacher tenure recognition.

On Tuesday, June 2, 2026, the North Rockland Central School District honored Maybie during a special tenure ceremony celebrating her extraordinary impact on students, educators, and the broader school community. But beyond the milestone itself, Maybie’s story represents something even bigger: the growing recognition of emotional support, mental health advocacy, and innovative wellness programs in schools nationwide.

Working alongside her handler, special education teacher Michael Morlino, Maybie has become a full-time member of the educational support team at Fieldstone Middle School. Trained through Canine Companions, the nationally recognized nonprofit organization that prepares highly skilled service and facility dogs, Maybie performs more than 40 specialized commands designed to support students with anxiety, PTSD, sensory needs, behavioral challenges, emotional regulation, and school avoidance.

Her role goes far beyond companionship. Each day begins before sunrise with training and exercise before she reports to school for counseling sessions, classroom support, decompression walks, and therapeutic interventions. Students often turn to Maybie during stressful moments, finding comfort and calm simply through her presence.

One of the most unique parts of Maybie’s impact is her work in “Maybie’s Meadow,” a dedicated outdoor therapeutic learning space where students can regulate emotions, decompress, and reconnect in a safe and supportive environment.

Maybie has also become a public advocate for youth empowerment and student mental health through her role as an ambassador for Wonder Girls, helping raise awareness around emotional wellness and the importance of therapeutic supports for young people. Her involvement with the program has helped shine a spotlight on how innovative approaches — including facility dogs — can positively transform school environments and student experiences.

What began as one school’s investment in student support has quickly become a model for surrounding districts. Since Maybie joined North Rockland, seven neighboring schools have launched similar service dog initiatives inspired by the district’s success.

The movement reflects a growing national conversation about student mental health and the need for schools to create environments where students feel emotionally safe, connected, and supported. Programs like Maybie’s have also received support through the legacy of Charles M. Schulz and Jean Schulz, whose philanthropy helped expand Canine Companions’ training and outreach efforts nationwide.

As educators, students, and community members gather for Maybie’s tenure ceremony, the event will celebrate more than a remarkable dog. It will recognize a new model of educational support — one where compassion, emotional wellness, and connection are treated as essential parts of student success.

For the students at Fieldstone Middle School, Maybie is already more than a facility dog. She’s a trusted companion, a calming presence, an advocate for wellness, and now, officially, a tenured member of the educational community.