One therapy dog that has been continuously offering support at Reed Intermediate School since students returned to school following the tragedy at Sandy Hook School in 2012, was honored recently by being nominated for an online competition.

Kona, a therapy dog owned by Sandy Cornell, was announced as the winner of a Pets Best Insurance’s online “Books and Barks” contest on September 29. Kona received the most votes out of eight contenders.

By garnering the most votes, Kona earned $1,000 for Reed Intermediate School fifth grade teacher Karen King’s class and $500 for an animal nonprofit of her owner’s choosing.

Ms King nominated the black and white Boston terrier for the contest, and Ms Cornell said, on Friday, October 3, that she was humbled by the nomination.

Kona’s $500 will be given to Charlotte’s Litter, a Newtown Kindness program honoring first grader Charlotte Helen Bacon, who loved dogs, and who died on 12/14 at Sandy Hook School. Ms King also said the $1,000 that Kona earned for her classroom will be used for gift cards for each owner of a therapy dog that works at Reed.

For Ms King, Kona has been a loyal friend since the start of 2013. Ms King credited former Reed Intermediate School Principal Jay Smith with the idea of welcoming the therapy dogs at Reed and having them throughout the hallways when staff and students returned to school following the tragedy.

“I believe those dogs saved us,” Ms King said.

The therapy dogs became an outlet and a talking point, the fifth grade teacher explained.

“To me the dogs in general all deserve awards,” said Ms King.

But Kona stood out. The Boston terrier became close with Ms King’s students that school year, and, she said, “Kona remains one of our loyal therapists.”

Kona and Ms Cornell also began visiting Newtown Middle School this school year.

Ms Cornell said Kona is roughly 3 years old, and works through Therapy Dogs International. When Therapy Dogs International sent out an e-mail following the tragedy, Ms Cornell said, “I responded, and we came. And we have not left.”

Ms Cornell and Kona travel from Wappingers Falls, N.Y., to work with Reed and, now, NMS students.

Along with offering comfort, some of Kona’s tricks she performs for students includes “stop, drop, and roll,” jumping in circles, waving, and performing “doggie push-ups.”

“She’s the smartest dog I think I have ever had,” said Ms Cornell.

When it came time to choose an animal charity to donate Kona’s winnings to, Ms Cornell said she did not hesitate: Charlotte’s Litter was her immediate choice.

Speaking for Charlotte’s Litter, JoAnn Bacon, Charlotte’s mother, said therapy dogs are a tool and resource that can be used in schools, and Charlotte’s Litter brings awareness about all the benefits that therapy dogs offer.

“There is a true benefit to having the dogs in the schools,” said Ms Bacon, who said she started researching therapy dogs after learning the dogs had found a home in Newtown’s schools.

Kona and Ms Cornell eventually came to know the Bacons, according to Ms Cornell. And both Ms Cornell and Kona took part in the first Therapy/Comfort Dog Walk-A-Thon hosted by Newtown Kindness, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded after the tragedy at Sandy Hook School in an effort to encourage, facilitate, and recognize the value of kindness, according to the organization, in November of 2013.

The first Therapy/Comfort Dog Walk-A-Thon took place on the Fairfield Hills campus and launched Charlotte’s Litter, which was designed by Ms Bacon and her husband Joel along with Charlotte’s brother. Charlotte’s Litter’s aim is to advocate for animal assisted activity with therapy/comfort dogs and their roles as supportive friends and trusted companions.

The second annual Therapy/Comfort Dog Walk-A-Thon is scheduled for Saturday, October 18, from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm, at Sea Bluff Beach in West Haven.

Ms Bacon said Kona’s relationship with her family stemmed from Kona’s work at Reed and is an example of the “therapy dog story,” that, she said, many people do not know.

“These dogs are special and they are special to a lot of kids,” said Ms Bacon. “And they are making a difference.”

For information on participating in the second annual Therapy/Comfort Dog Walk-A-Thon visit eventbrite.com/e/charlottes-litter-therapycomfort-dog-walk-athon-tickets-12859542237? aff= eorg. newtownkindness.org/charlottes-litter or go to