At Genesee Valley BOCES, learning often reaches far beyond the classroom. At the Animal Science program at the Mount Morris CTE Center, that learning is taking shape through a partnership rooted in compassion, service, and hands on experience. At the center of it all is Stewie, a rescue dog whose journey is now helping students, staff, and the community in meaningful ways.
For Pastor Leeann Kaiser, the idea began with a simple but powerful goal. As an assistant pastor, she has spent years focused on supporting veterans and individuals navigating mental health challenges. “For me, I wanted to step outside of the church and into the community, and a therapy dog creates that connection in a really special way.”
Stewie’s story is one of resilience and second chances. He was rescued from a landfill in South Carolina along with his siblings and arrived sick and in need of care. “When he came to me, he was about three months old and we really had to rehab him, but he just had this ability to connect right away,” Kaiser said.
That connection became the foundation for Light and Leash Ministries. What started as caring for one dog quickly grew into a mission centered on healing, companionship, and service. “He just showed this tremendous ability to connect with people, and that’s when I knew this could be something bigger than just one dog,” Kaiser said.
Through that work, Stewie is now training to become a certified therapy dog. He is working through structured programs and testing, building the skills needed to support individuals in a variety of settings. “He’s doing tremendous, and every step forward opens up more opportunities to serve others,” Kaiser said.
Looking ahead, that effort will continue to grow with the help of Genesee Valley BOCES students. The goal is to train up to three dogs each year through the Animal Science program, preparing them to be placed with veterans through Operation Companion.
The work does not stop with Stewie. Operation Companion is expanding that mission by pairing rescue dogs with veterans who can benefit from that connection. “This is about finding the right dog for the right person and making sure they are set up for success,” Kaiser said.
At the same time, partnerships have continued to grow. Stewie is already beginning to connect with programs that support individuals in recovery and those working through mental health challenges. “You don’t always know what someone is carrying, but a dog like Stewie can help break that barrier,” Kaiser said.
That is where Genesee Valley BOCES students become an essential part of the story. In Casey Arlig’s Animal Science classroom, students are not just observing this work, they are actively contributing to it. “This is a really good opportunity for students to do something meaningful in the community while they are learning,” Arlig said.
Students take part in daily training routines that focus on consistency, patience, and clear communication. They practice leash work, commands, and controlled interactions, all while learning how to read a dog’s behavior. “They are learning how to stay calm, how to be consistent, and how to build trust, and those are skills that go far beyond this classroom,” Arlig said.
What makes the experience unique is the environment itself. With more than 20 animal species in the program, dogs like Stewie are exposed to a wide range of distractions and scenarios. “They are seeing everything from small animals to larger livestock, and that helps prepare them for anything they might encounter,” Arlig said.
Stewie’s training extends throughout the entire Mount Morris CTE Center. He is brought into different programs to experience a variety of real world environments that challenge and strengthen his skills. From busy workshops filled with noise and movement to the farm out back with large animals, each setting builds his confidence and focus.
He is also introduced to quieter spaces, including computer labs and classrooms, where calm behavior and connection are essential. In those moments, students see a different side of his training, one that requires patience and control. “Those quieter environments are just as important because that is where a lot of therapy work happens,” Arlig said.
Every step of the process is intentional. Students are learning how to guide Stewie through each environment, helping him stay focused while also observing how he responds. “They are not just training a dog, they are learning how to support something bigger than themselves,” Arlig said.
All students in the Animal Science program are part of that experience. Even those who are not directly handling Stewie are learning by watching, discussing, and supporting the process. “Everyone in the classroom is learning from him in some way, and that is what makes this so powerful,” Arlig said.
Among those students is Jenna Elwell, a senior whose journey in the program reflects the impact of this work. Earlier in the year, she formed a strong bond with another dog in the classroom, an experience that stayed with her. When that opportunity ended, she stepped into a new role working with Stewie.
“I’m really grateful to have another chance to work with a dog and build that connection again,” Jenna said. That second opportunity has allowed her to grow both personally and professionally. It has also deepened her understanding of patience, trust, and responsibility.
For Jenna, the connection is what stands out most. “My favorite part is building that bond and seeing him trust me, because that takes time and effort,” she said. That trust is something she works toward every day in the classroom.
Her passion for animals has been a constant throughout her life. The Animal Science program has given her a place to turn that passion into something more meaningful and structured. “Being here has helped me realize what I want to do and how I can get there,” she said.
Jenna plans to attend Roberts Wesleyan University to study Biology and Pre-Vet. From there, she hopes to continue on to veterinary school and build a career working with animals. “I’m excited to keep learning and see where this path takes me,” she said.
Back in the classroom, Stewie continues to leave an impact on everyone he meets. Students from other programs visit regularly, often starting their day with a few minutes spent with him and the other animals. That time, while small, can make a lasting difference.
“We have students come down every morning, and it can completely change their day,” Arlig said. Those moments highlight the role animals can play in creating a positive environment within a school. It is a reminder that learning can take many different forms.
For Kaiser, seeing students involved in this work has been especially meaningful. “You never know whose life is going to be changed, and these students are a part of that process,” she said. That connection between education and service is what continues to drive the work forward.
Through this collaboration, Genesee Valley BOCES is creating an experience that goes beyond traditional learning. Students are gaining real skills while also contributing to something that has a direct impact on others. In the process, they are learning that compassion, patience, and connection are just as important as any lesson taught in a classroom.