Our Paw Partners
Sawyer, Mountain View High School
Sawyer is our original MV Pawsitive Peer! He's a three year old mixed breed dog (our best guess is Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, and Corgi). We've had him since he was eight weeks old when we adopted him through the Coconino County Humane Society. He was found abandoned near Flagstaff with no parents. His first therapy job was in the jails, where he worked with both male and female inmates from minimum to maximum security. He started at Mountain View in October of 2019.
His favorite things to do on campus are visiting the courtyard at lunch, doing classroom visits, and playing tug with his toys here. Outside of school, his favorite place to go is the dog beach and his favorite treat is chicken jerky.
Owner Ariel Koch, Social Worker
Meiko, Dobson High School
Meiko is a 9 year old longhair dapple dachshund. Meiko came into my life when he was about 12 weeks old. Another family decided they did not have room for him in their household anymore and they were going to surrender him. I did not plan on getting a dog at the time, but I knew as soon as I met him that he was going to be my best friend and he was definitely going home with me. Meiko was a bright light during a difficult time in my life. I had just gone through an ACL reconstruction surgery and the recovery was frustrating and difficult. He was and is such a loving dog, and he truly rescued me throughout my surgery recovery. Over 8 years later, I can still always count on him to bring joy to the day and make me laugh with all of his stubborn quirkiness. He always seems to know when I need him.
Instagram: @meikothedoxie
Owner Brittany Tosi, CTE Sports Medicine Teacher & Athletic Trainer
Aurora, Dobson High School
When my husband and I decided we wanted another dog, we went to multiple shelters and looked at a variety of dogs. Aurora definitely caught our eye immediately. She was so gentle and sweet. She was brought over from New Mexico, and was not one of the dogs the rescue had planned to rescue, but they happened to have one spot available and picked to bring her to Arizona! We wanted to get to know her more, but the shelter had her listed as unadoptable at the time and we couldn't do a meet and greet. Sadly, we didn't find a dog that would be the perfect addition to our pack at that time. About 6 months passed when we decided to make another attempt and visited that same shelter. She was still there. They were going to determine whether she was adoptable within the week, and I knew I had to follow her. Less than a week later, I found out she was cleared to be adopted, and I rushed home from work to do a meet-and-greet. I knew this was the dog I wanted, but I had to wait two more days to introduce her to our other dogs and my husband to make sure she was the perfect fit... which she was! Initially, she was extremely skittish, and wouldn't even walk down our hallway or into any dark areas, it was rough. She destroyed our couch (It was a long day at home with Friday Night Football), and was nervous and shy around both of us. With time and patience, she grew to love and trust us, which allowed her personality to blossom. She is one of the most goofy, cuddly, loving, ball and frisbee crazed, and treat-motivated dogs I have ever met, and I wouldn't trade her for the world.
Instagram @Aurorathetherapydog
Owner Brittany Tosi, CTE Sports Medicine Teacher & Athletic Trainer
Macadoodle (Mac), Mountain View & Red Mountain
Meet Mac! Mac just recently graduated from 12 weeks of obedience and therapy training and passed his Pet Partners evaluation to become our newest MV Pawsitive Peer!
Mac is a year and a half old mini Goldendoodle. He LOVES people and thinks meeting new friends (humans and dogs) is the best thing ever! He will be attending Mountain View High School a couple of days a week with AP Mr. Long. Mac loves to hike, camp, travel, play, and cuddle with his human family of 6. If you ever see him around feel free to pet him, rub under his chin and behind his ears, and give him a hug. He will love you!
Owner Richard Long, Assistant Principal
Nelly, Edison Elementary
I went to a fundraiser at Friends for Life Animal Rescue and saw Nelly was up for adoption. She came from a person who could not take care of her anymore due to health issues. She was adopted at 1 year old. She seemed like a relaxed, but nervous dog that would be a good fit for our family. I was wrong! Nelly has been the biggest princess and most spoiled dog in our family. She has a huge personality and is motivated with pets and snuggles. She was not just a good fit, but was PERFECT for our family. We love her!
Owner Paige Kistner, 5th grade teacher and Pawsitive Peers Instructional Support
Cinder, Westwood High School
Cinder was found wandering an apartment complex when she was around 2 months old. She was taken to a shelter by a concerned citizen and we adopted her when he previous family did not come for her.
Owner Jeanette Layton, Teacher
Scout and Remmy, Highland Arts
Chester, Roosevelt Elementary
Marley, Dobson High School
I rescued Marley April of 2021. She was in foster care for a long time after she was surrendered due to abuse during her first year of life. I found her through various web sites when I was looking for a retriever breed.
Owner Noel Welch, Program Counselor - Secondary SUCCESS Program
Tessa, Mountain View High School
Tessa is a 2 year old standard poodle. She tends to be a picky eater but loves meat, peanut butter, and pork rinds. She knows several tricks like shake, high five, speak, jump and roll over. She is a good cuddler and loves the students at MVHS!
Owner Misti Borge, SpEd Instructional Aide
Kiwi, Mountain View High School
Kiwi is a mini goldendoodle whose favorite things are people, hiking, and puppucchinos. We adopted her in March of 2019 and have spoiled her rotten ever since. You can find her in the admin office on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Her favorite thing is when her friends get down on the floor with her so she can snuggle!
Zero, Taft Elementary
After my dog Chopper passed away I told myself we wouldn't get another dog. Every day I came home and missed someone greeting me when I came through the door. I was casually browsing pet finder and I came across a smiley pup. He was brought to Arizona through the White German Shepherd Rescue from California. He came in as stray to high kill shelter and the rescue worked their magic to get him here. We decided to do a little intro and meet Rogan (his name given by the rescue). It was love at first site. He was the most loving and calm dog. The rescue wanted to do a quick home visit and just like that he was ours. He didn't look like a Rogan to me so we brainstormed as a family for a name to better suit him. We are huge Disney fans and one of our favorite movies is The Nightmare Before Christmas. It was perfect, we named him Zero for his white fur and pink nose.
Owner Courtney Sigler, Title I Specialist
Gretta, Hale and Lehi Elementary
Gretta was found on the streets of Phoenix and was picked up by the pound. A GSD rescue saw her at the pound and saw how sweet she was and took her in, got her to the vet and took care of her for a few months before we saw her on the website. She has been sweet and obedient from day one. She's the best dog I've ever had.
Owner Corinna Wyatt, Music Teacher
Mogwaii, Westwood High School
Mogwaii is a shih-tzu/poodle mix and was adopted at just over a month old.
Owner Jeanette Layton, Teacher
Presley, SHARP
We were fortunate to be chosen to be Presly's parents when he was 2 years old and his family who lived on a farm in San Tan Valley were moving up to a larger farm up in Yarnell AZ. His family was concerned with him living up in the forest with all the wild animals that are out and about and were looking for a family to re-home to. Presley has brought soo much love and support to our home!
Owner Cindy Hartmann, Occupational Therapist
Participating Schools
Elementary: Adams, Crismon, Edison, Eisenhower, Highland, Johnson,Red Mountain Center for Early Education preschool, Porter, Madison, Robson, Roosevelt, Taft, Whitman, Whittier
Junior high: Carson, Fremont, Kino, Rhodes, Taylor
High school: Dobson, East Valley Academy, Mountain View, Red Mountain, Westwood