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“It’s an awesome thing to have around. This genuinely is one of those projects that has long‑lasting benefits to our student population.” 

Moses Lake School District Director of Public Relations Ryan Shannon  

MOSES LAKE — What began as a freshman’s idea to bring comfort animals into Vanguard Academy has grown into a multiyear therapy dog program and a defining high school experience for senior Daniel Heeney. 

Heeney, now a four‑year trainer for the school’s therapy dogs, said the project started with a simple memory of a therapy dog that helped him through middle school.  

“He always made my days at school better, and I loved seeing him in the halls,” he said. “I kind of wanted to do something like that here at Vanguard.” 

A program built one dog at a time 

The first dog Heeney trained was Minnie-Mae, a black lab belonging to a teacher. Students loved her, but her shy personality made the work difficult. 

“She was really shy, and eventually that just became an obstacle we couldn’t really overcome,” Heeney said. 

Next came Oakley, a boxer who “loved the students” but had to retire after being diagnosed with cancer. 

Then came Bucky – the golden doodle who would become the face of the program. 

“Bucky is so intelligent,” Heeney said. “Everything we’ve taught him, he’s learned super well… He has a sense for when students are feeling down, and he’ll just go to them.” 

Bucky passed both the Canine Good Citizenship test and the therapy dog test, making him the program’s first fully certified therapy dog. 

A dog who walks himself — literally 

Vanguard teacher Camille Stanberry, Bucky’s owner, said the doodle has become a beloved fixture. 

“He walks himself. He carries his own leash in the building,” she said. “He knows where we’re going… and he knows who he wants to go visit.” 

She said students often request Bucky during stressful moments. She said students will often borrow Bucky for a class period – especially if the student is having a stressful day or needs a little bit of comfort during a test.  

“That’s what he is there for,” Stanberry said. “I kind of lend him out as needed.”  

Training the dogs, trainers 

As the program grew, Heeney began training other students to handle the dogs. 

“He wanted to expand the program and not just learn how to be a dog trainer himself, but to then train trainers,” Stanberry said. “It’s rare that a young boy has that type of drive and vision.” 

Heeney said the work taught him patience, leadership and communication.  

“Working with dogs who don’t want to listen to you really teaches you something about how important it is to be patient,” he said. “It’s helped me in all different facets of my life.” 

Impact on students 

Heeney said Bucky has helped students overcome fears and find comfort during difficult days. 

“There’s been multiple students who were scared of dogs because of something that happened in their past,” he said. “Being around Bucky has really helped them… and made them view dogs in a more positive light.” 

Stanberry said Bucky is really good at picking up when students are having a hard day and giving them extra attention. 

“I won’t even tell him to go visit someone. He will just wander across the classroom and lay his head on someone’s lap if he thinks they need it,” she said.  

Director of Communications Ryan Shannon said the program has become part of the school’s identity. 

“It’s an awesome thing to have around,” he said. “This genuinely is one of those projects that has long‑lasting benefits to our student population.” 

Looking ahead

Heeney, who plans to study animal science on a pre-veterinary track at Washington State University, hopes the program continues after he graduates. 

“I really do hope it continues,” he said. “I really don’t want it to stop just because I’m not here.” 

Stanberry said another student is already considering stepping in.  

“Maybe with Daniel leaving, that will open the door for a new dog and a new trainer,” she said. 

    Vanguard Academy teacher Camille Stanberry escorts Bucky as he walks himself out of the conference room.
  

    Vanguard Academy Senior Daniel Heeney will be attending Washington State University in the fall. He is hoping that someone else will step in and take over the therapy dogs at Vanguard.