Canine Companions to honor Farmingdale superintendent at gala in Great Neck

The Farmingdale community was reeling after a bus crash in Upstate New York injured dozens of students and killed the high school’s long-time band director, Gina Pellettiere, in September 2023. 

District administration was looking for ways to support the school community when Dean of Students Fred Falcones suggested bringing in service dogs from the nonprofit Canine Companions for the hurting student body, and Superintendent Paul Defendini signed off on the decision.

“And I’m so glad I did,” Defendini said.

That decision eventually led to Defendini becoming a volunteer puppy raiser and advocate for service dogs in schools, and on June 25 at Leonard’s Palazzo in Great Neck, Canine Companions will honor Defendini at the organization’s largest fundraiser in the region — Sit. Stay. Sparkle! Northeast.

After the crash, the district stationed dogs all across the high school. There were support dogs in the commons, the library, and Pellettiere’s former band room. 

“There were pockets of students that we were trying to get to open up,” Defendini said. “In some ways [the dogs] just provided a comforting environment for some of our students who were struggling.”

Defendini said that after Canine Companions supported the school community, he asked them how he could pay it forward to the non-profit. They suggested he become a volunteer puppy raiser. Defendini agreed, and soon enough, he was training Daler, a puppy who would go on to become a favorite of the Farmingdale school district.

Executive director Rudy J. Breedy calls Canine Companions a “full-service” organization. 

“Not only do we breed the dogs, but we also train the dogs, and then we provide them to the individuals, whether they are veterans or children and adults with disabilities, free of charge, to help them achieve greater independence,” Breedy said.

Defendini stepped up as a volunteer to help with that crucial training period for Daler’s first 18 months and brought her to school every day before she was matched with someone.

“It really provided a great social environment for her to grow up in,” he said.

Defendini said that at the district’s four-day band camp trip, Daler “served as a beacon.” Daler stayed with the counselors on the trip, and Defendini said that whenever a student was not feeling well, they would come over, and the puppy would put her head on their lap for support. 

Although Daler was technically being trained, Defendini said she also served as a therapeutic dog for the community, which was still struggling. 

“It’s years later, and we’re still working through it,” he said.

This month, Defendini will speak at Sit. Stay. Sparkle! Northeast before being honored for his contributions and support to Canine Companions.

“He’s been helping us raise so much awareness,” said Breedy.

The gala will feature a gourmet meal, remarks from several speakers, auctions, and unique dog-themed entertainment. A dog will do live painting before their art is auctioned, and there will be interactive dog activities.

“It is a high-level showcase of all the great things that we do here at Canine Companions,” said Breedy, and the gala goes to supporting all the services the non-profit provides. 

“The money that we generate from that event helps provide for operations, supports the puppy raising program, pairing, and all the other services that we offer,” he said.

Now, Defendini is a strong advocate for the positive effect of dogs on school campuses and said he is looking to have service puppies in Farmingdale schools permanently. 

“I really think that there’s a space for dogs in schools,” Defendini said. “Dogs belong here.”