Making a Paw-sitive Difference

Since the 2021-2022 school year, Sierra Vista’s four-legged furry-friend, Dood, roams around Sierra Vista’s campus greeting students, lending a paw for those in need, and uplifting spirits inside and out of Vista’s campus. Every day, Dood brightens people’s days with his adorable goldendoodle charm, as well as calming students during stressful times.
Known for their playful and loving personalities, Goldendoodles carry lots of energy. Dood embodies this perfectly by expressing the playfulness of a Golden Retriever “off-duty” and the composure of a Poodle when he works. Comparing the difference between Dood inside of Vista’s campus to outside, Sierra Vista High’s principal and Dood’s owner, Mrs. Lovell states, “When Dood is “at work”, meaning has his vest on, he is very laid back and relaxed. He knows not to bark (usually) and that he has to behave a certain way. As soon as the vest comes off, he gets energy, loves to run around, and LOVES to play fetch with a ball.” Mrs. Lovell also notes that Dood “LOVES to play with the police dogs when they come to campus. They run around stealing toys from each other and that’s pretty cute!”
Throughout the school day, Dood loves to explore Vista’s grounds and smell all the bushes and trees, hoping to spot any food students left behind. If you catch Dood in the hallways, he’s most-likely on the way to visit his favorite teachers or accompanying his mother and owner, Mrs. Lovell, around campus. Mrs. Lovell reveals, “He has favorite classrooms that he loves to go into because those teachers have a special bond with him (Ms. Foresta, Mr. Everett, and Ms. Mills to name a few).”
Furthermore, Mrs. Lovell expresses how Dood helps her gain a better connection between students and staff, explaining, “I love when students come up to say hi to Dood and then I end up engaging in a conversation with them. I think Dood makes me, as the principal, more approachable, which is nice.” In addition to all the love and attention from students and staff, Dood’s presence in the halls of Sierra Vista also managed to gain local and national attention on news platforms including an episode of Student Spotlight on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and a feature on the Las Vegas Review Journal.
So next time you spot Dood, make sure to offer a quick pet or a big smile. Don’t be fooled by his calm demeanor, Dood loves to see and visit all of his “hooman” friends.