Students attend premiere of film about assistance dogs

Part of new movie, ‘The Buddy System,’ was filmed at Mary C. Howse

For the first time, several Mary C. Howse Elementary School students and teachers were able to view themselves on the big screen.

These local “movie stars” attended the Pennsylvania premier of the award winning film, “The Buddy System,” Tuesday at East High School. Part of the movie was filmed at Mary C. Howse.

And, of course, the movie’s namesake and biggest star, Buddy, a golden retriever, was on hand, but signed no paw prints.

Dozens of students gathered around Buddy and Blaze to pet and share some love.

“The Buddy System” tells the story of three families touched by autism who bring specially trained assistance dogs into their home and lives.

Buddy was trained by breeder and mom, Patty Dobbs Gross. He was her 250th placement in a 20year career. Buddy was trained and socialized primarily in the first-grade classroom at Mary C. Howse, prior to his placement with a family.

“Buddy brought a lot of compassion and caring to all the students and staff,” said Mary C. Howse Principal Steve Catrambone. “Buddy wasn’t just a firstgrade classroom dog, he became part of the school family.”

“The Buddy System” follows Buddy from when he was a puppy. Dobbs Gross first realized the benefits of raising assistance dogs when she saw the interaction with her son, who is on the autism spectrum.

Dobbs Gross went on to earn a master’s degree in psychology and created, North Star Foundation, an innovative breeding program to place specific dogs with specific children.

“A child who connects to a dog connects to the world,” according to a tagline in the film. It was noted that a dog might have communications with a child that “no human being is capable of.”

First-grade teacher Denise Skalski is now training Blaze, the school’s 10th assistance dog.

“There is such an im-

pact on my students in the classroom, they learn a lot of responsibility,” she said. “They are taught the differences in other children.

“They are puppy raisers and it has a positive effect on the kids. It just opens their hearts.”

Dobbs Gross said that few dogs wash out of training.

“You have to be very cautious,” she said. “I just want to know that the pup really loves children.”

This is almost the ninth generation of dogs raised at North Star.

Dobbs Gross likes to train water dogs. She prefers the even temperament of golden retrievers (like Buddy and Blaze) and Labrador retrievers, and sometimes poodles and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels for those with allergies.

Bill Harris, the film’s executive producer, said he was doubly thrilled to introduce Blaze to the audience of about 200. Blaze will follow in Buddy’s paw steps and receive training at Mary C. Howse.

West Chester Area School District Superintendent Dr. Jim Scanlon said that it is important to train and to acclimate dogs because they “make a huge difference, not only with the kids but adults.”

“The Buddy System” film and community outreach is a nonprofit production. To find out more information, and to support or host a screening, go to www.BuddySystemFilm.org.

BILL RETTEW JR. – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Film star Buddy gets petted.

BILL RETTEW JR. – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Assistance dogs Blaze, left, and Buddy take center stage at East High School.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Buddy was a hit with the kids.