Hoosick Falls Central School District is thrilled to announce the addition of a new member to our staff - K9 Eddie - a therapy dog partnered with School Resource Officer Deputy Matthew Garhartt. This innovative program was co-developed with the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office to foster a supportive and nurturing environment for students, staff, and the wider school community.
K9 Eddie is a 12 to 18-month old chocolate lab mix and was found as a stray in Brevard County Florida. The Brevard County Sheriff's Office placed him into their Paws & Stripes College to train as a therapy dog. He was put through several tests to make sure he would be a good candidate and, once chosen, enrolled in the college for 8-10 weeks. The training was conducted by inmates from a local correctional facility as well as dog trainers and sworn staff of the Brevard County Sheriff's Office.
Deputy Garhartt traveled to Florida the second week of July to participate in a five-day 40-hour training program with Eddie. Work included basic obedience such as sit, down, heel and stay as well as significant interaction in public with other dogs and complete strangers. Deputy Garhartt and Eddie visited the American Police Hall of Fame & Museum, Merritt Square Mall, Home Depot, Viera Courthouse, Ron Jons Surf Shop, the Cruise Terminal and Brigdawgs Pet Store.
At the completion of the program, both Eddie and Deputy Garhartt were put through a series of qualifying tests. Eddie passed the Law Enforcement Investigative Therapy Dog Course, completed the requirements for Multi Discipline Therapy K9 Team, AKC Canine Good Citizen and AKC Canine Good Citizen Advanced. He is now a recognized K9 member of the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office.
This will be Deputy Garhartt’s 4th year as the School Resource Officer at Hoosick Falls Central School District. “I can honestly say it is the best job and I truly love working in the school with the students, faculty and staff. This upcoming school year will be a little different for everyone at HFCS, including myself, because I will have K9 Eddie by my side every day.” said Garhartt.
“We are very excited to welcome Eddie into our school community,” said Patrick Dailey, Superintendent of Hoosick Falls. “This partnership represents our commitment to creating a supportive environment where every student feels safe and valued. Our history with therapy dogs in the District has been extremely positive. The introduction of a K9 therapy dog comes as part of a broader initiative with the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department to integrate innovative support systems into the educational environment. Deputy Garhartt and Eddie will work to provide comfort during high-stress situations, offer companionship, and assist with conflict resolution.”
“We are looking forward to seeing the positive effects Eddie will bring to the Hoosick Falls Central School District. In working with the District, we hope to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the students, as partnering Eddie with Deputy Garhartt is yet another opportunity to build stronger connections with those students,” said Rensselaer County Sheriff Kyle Bourgault.
We are one of only a handful of Districts in New York State pairing an SRO with a K9 therapy dog This would not have happened without the positive working relationship between Hoosick Falls CSD and the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office. We look forward to the staff, students and parents meeting Eddie at the UPK-8 Open House on Wednesday, August 28.
Patrick Dailey
Hoosick Falls CSD Superintendent