Remembering the Legacy of Herkimer College's beloved Therapy Dog, Renegade
“Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them and filling an emptiness we didn’t even know we had.” Thom Jones
Herkimer College has recently lost a beloved member of our campus, Renegade, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge in late February. Renegade was the campus’ Certified Therapy Dog and a friend to all who passed through the College, and he will be greatly missed.
Renegade began training as a Certified Therapy Dog in 2017 and officially became a member of the Counseling Center staff in Fall 2018. Renegade could be found in the Counseling Center or greeting students on campus in RMCC. He began working only one day a week and the demand was so great that the Counseling Center quickly increased his days to two. When Renegade trotted through the doors, everyone stopped and took the time to say hello. What might seem like something as small as saying hello to a dog, made a larger impact on the mental health of our students and faculty than one would think. Students could arrive on campus stressed, anxious and perhaps even depressed. But seeing Renegade smile and play would take a little bit of weight off their shoulders for a moment, and he’d send them off to class with a better outlook on the day.
Renegade would visit campus on Wednesdays and Thursdays to meet with students who were struggling with their mental health. No matter what students were dealing with, Renegade was there to provide comfort and support. He became such a popular member of the Counseling Center that he began having open office hours for anybody who wanted to drop by. The suite door of the Counseling Center would open throughout the day and faculty, staff, and students would just check-in to ask, “is Renegade here?” Not only would students reach out to ask about Renegade, but Mary Greene was interviewed by Herkimer College’s student-run newspaper, and even other college counseling centers would inquire about the success of the college’s therapy dog. Renegade made such a great impact on the campus that he was one of the reasons that the Counseling Center received the Outstanding Program Award by The Genesis Group in November 2021. Renegade would also visit classrooms to help teach students about the importance of mental health awareness and let them know that he was there for them whenever they needed it. He always knew where and when he was needed and as if by magic, he would just appear by your side. He would gently nudge his nose on an elbow as if to say, “I’m here for you.”
After a long day at work, Renegade would come home to his family and tell them all about his day; the friends he made, the toys he chased and ultimately, the people he helped. Renegade’s presence on campus lifted our spirits and brought joy to so many people. If we have learned anything from his time here at Herkimer College, is that it is important to take care of one another, as you never know what somebody else may be going through. His legacy will live on in the community and in our hearts. Thank you, Renegade. We will miss you.
Remember that loss affects people differently depending on many factors and it is important to know that there is no right way to feel or grieve. Counselors are available to talk with you Monday through Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm in the Counseling Center located in CA 130. To make an appointment, please stop in our office; call 315.574.4034; or email counseling@herkimer.edu. Services are free and confidential for Herkimer College students.
Renegade's memorial video can be found at the link below.