Turning Loss into Love: Lakota’s Growing Pack of Therapy Dogs

Lakota’s pack of therapy dogs is growing once again. And Lakota West High School’s newest four-legged staff member, Downy, is the silver lining to an unimaginable tragedy.

The latest addition to the Lakota family was made possible by a financial gift from The Joshua Al-lateef Jr. Foundation, which was created in memory of the former Lakota student and son of the group's founder, Jonisa Cook. 

“It’s just amazing what these dogs can do and how beneficial they can be to kids while at school,” said Cook, who sees the presence of therapy dogs in schools as a direct extension of her Foundation’s mission to support kids with autism. Starting with Joshua’s home school district, Cook has her sights set on gifting more dogs to more local districts, in addition to the other resources that the Foundation provides to families of children with autism like swim lessons and music therapy. 

“Lakota is deeply grateful to the Joshua Al‑Lateef Jr. Foundation for this remarkable gift,” said Andrea Longworth, Lakota’s executive director of pupil services. “Downy’s presence is already making a profound difference in the daily lives of Lakota West’s students and staff.”

Like Lakota’s ten other dogs, two-year-old Downy also came from a longstanding partnership with Circle Tail, a non-profit organization that trains and finds partners for service, hearing, and facility dogs. The school-based facility dogs provide cognitive, social, emotional and physical support to all students, especially those with disabilities and special needs. Besides providing an additional source of therapy and safety, they are specially trained to improve self-esteem, reduce anxiety and promote overall well-being and mental health.

Downy has quickly become a beloved presence at Lakota West. Staff share that she provides steady comfort to students—whether they are navigating a difficult moment, feeling overwhelmed, or simply in need of a calming companion during the school day.

“She loves to be loved. Some kids walk through the door and they’ve had a rough day or there’s just tough things in their lives. She’s just somebody who isn’t going to judge the kids and is just there for them everyday,” said Lakota West instructional aide Beth Gogolewski, who is also Downy’s primary handler. 

“She makes me feel at peace and also understood and seen in a way because her presence is super comforting,” said Lakota West junior Kayla Pichardo Lora. 

"They took something tragic and turned it into something beautiful,” Kayla continued. “I think it's a really inspirational story that they were able to do something so beautiful and provide us with the blessing that is Downy."

Meet Lakota’s full pack of therapy dogs and watch the full story published by Local 12 WKRC.