DISTRICT Southbridge Public Schools
ASPEN District Calendar Careers Clever Destiny (Library) ReadySub SWIS School Store Help Desk ParentSquare
Skip to main content

Southbridge Public Schools

Meet Storm - Southbridge Public Schools' In House Therapy Dog

Posted Date: 09/29/26 (08:08 AM)
View Original Post


Meet Storm

Southbridge Public Schools' in House Therapy Dog

September 29, 2026
Storm the Therapy Dog

Wagging Hard For Your Smiles

 
If you happen to see a fluffy, four-legged visitor wandering the halls of Southbridge Public Schools, there’s a very good chance you’ve just met Storm.

Fearsome in name, gentle in nature.  Her namesake is far from scary, and hails from the Marvel universe.  Storm is an Alaskan Malamute with a gentle spirit, a very fluffy coat, and a talent for making people feel just a little bit happier. She is friendly, patient, and always ready for a cuddle—or, if you happen to have a good scratch behind the ears available, she certainly won't complain!
Two trading cards featuring a fluffy Alaskan Malamute named Storm, who works as a therapy dog.
Storm is part of the Snug Tail Pet Therapy team and regularly visits Southbridge schools, usually on Mondays and Fridays. While she enjoys meeting people of all ages, she has a particularly important job with our elementary students.

Students who have earned special time with Storm might find themselves reading her a story, colouring beside her, or simply spending a few quiet moments giving her some well-deserved attention. Storm is an excellent listener—she never interrupts, never judges, and is perfectly happy to listen to the same story twice!

But school isn't Storm's only job. She also volunteers at an Amazon facility in Rhode Island, where she helps bring a little calm and comfort to workers. On weekends, she visits a nursing home in Providence, and during school vacations, she can sometimes be found at the Harris Library for “Reading with Storm.”
Wherever she goes, Storm seems to have the same mission: meet new people, make new friends, and leave everyone with a smile.

And, of course, behind every great therapy dog is a great human. Storm works alongside her mum, Donna Zannelli, Grants Manager and 21st Century Director.  Hand in paw Donna helps Storm share her special brand of four-legged kindness throughout the community.  

All this is beautifully offered free of charge by Donna and Storm to SPS!

So the next time you see Storm in the hallway, be sure to say hello.
She'll probably wag her tail.

And if you're lucky… she might let you give her a cuddle.

(Rare Storm Trading Cards.  Limited, and Randomly Delivered)
 
SnugTail

Want to know about Snug Tail Therapy?

Visit here: 

See all the working doggies here: