Meet Declan: Beloved Support Dog and Member of The Hill School Community

Declan has been more than just a familiar face at The Hill School—she’s been a steady source of comfort, connection, and joy for our students and faculty alike. As a professionally trained assistance dog from the paws4people® Foundation, Declan plays a unique and powerful role in supporting the emotional needs of our school community.

Declan’s presence at The Hill School is part of our ongoing commitment to the whole-child approach—nurturing not only academic success but also emotional well-being. Whether she’s quietly sitting beside a student during a tough moment or offering a gentle distraction during a challenging day, Declan has become an essential part of our daily rhythm.

Her ability to connect with students comes from the specialized training she received through paws4people®, a nonprofit organization with over 25 years of experience in preparing highly skilled assistance dogs. With more than 1,600 certified dogs placed, paws4people® is nationally recognized for its holistic, client-focused approach. Each dog is trained not only in core skills but also in building meaningful relationships that make a real impact—just like Declan has done at The Hill School.

Since joining our school community, Declan has built strong bonds with students and staff alike. Her calm and gentle presence helps create a safe and supportive environment where students feel seen, valued, and understood. She is more than a support animal—she’s a trusted friend and a daily reminder that empathy, patience, and connection are at the heart of what we do.

Watch Declan’s story in our new video feature and see how her quiet work makes a big difference!

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About paws4people®

Based right here in our region, the paws4people® Foundation is a valued local partner dedicated to training assistance dogs to support children, veterans, and individuals with a variety of physical, emotional, and neurological needs. Since 1999, they’ve placed over 1,600 certified dogs through a rigorous, relationship-based training model that focuses on lasting impact.

The Hill School is proud to work with a local organization whose mission so closely aligns with our own values of empathy, support, and community. Our partnership with paws4people® allows us to provide meaningful, daily emotional support to our students—right here on campus—through the incredible work of dogs like Declan.

Learn more about their mission at paws4people.org.