After the entire school community read a book about a dog and his best human friend, Sandy Hook Elementary School students celebrated by attending an assembly on February 22 that included humans and dogs.

Since the 2002-03 school year, Sandy Hook School has held a One School One Read event annually. That first year, the school community read Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. For a chosen length of time, the entire school reads and celebrates the chosen book.

This year, the chosen book was Fenway and Hattie by Victoria J. Coe. According to a description for the book, Fenway, a Jack Russell terrier, navigates a new life in the suburbs while learning about his “short human” Hattie.

To celebrate reading the book, dog trainer and The Exceptional Pet owner Abby Hill brought dogs and friends with her to present dog training tricks and tips to the students. Ms Hill introduced students to her family’s dog, Dude, and to The Exceptional Pet client and Weston high school student Abby Tanzer, who is training her dog, Nelly. Ms Hill’s son, Connor, a student at Newtown High School, also helped with the demonstration by presenting “Fenway,” brought to life by a Jack Russell terrier named Stella.

“We know a lot about dogs’ emotions,” Ms Hill said, with Dude seated next to her.

Ms Hill led Dude through a number of tricks while explaining to the assembled students how Dude learned to do the tricks. Dude walked through Ms Hill’s legs while she walked, put his paw on her extended leg, and walked by her side across the cafetorium’s stage.

Abby and Nelly then showed the students how Nelly does a number of tricks, like taking off Abby’s socks and hugging her.

The students later requested to see both dogs repeat some of the tricks.