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“Go get Cardi.”

Entering the classroom walks a 4-year-old female golden retriever, who snuggles next to a student in crisis.

Cardi is a service dog, belonging to Sue Bornstein, a substitute teacher at Leeds Central School. Rare among area schools, the trained therapy dog has been a welcome addition to the school’s students and staff.

Principal Shannon Bartash has seen only one other school have a therapy dog during her long career in education. Now she wonders how she got through all those years without one.

“I’m not planning on leaving anytime soon, but I would definitely have another therapy dog,” Bartash said.

The idea for the dog came from Bornstein, who was having her canine trained to help provide comfort. She completed her training earlier this fall and has been at the school ever since.

“The kids love Cardi,” Bartash said. “She normally stays with Sue in whatever class she is subbing in. But sometimes it’s ‘go get Cardi’ to help a kid who is struggling. She’s really good at calming kids down. She kind of snuggles in. She’s a very sweet sweet girl.”

“She’s even helped some of the staff members that were upset,” Bartash added, “She’ll snuggle up with then, too.”

Bartash said Leeds Central School had a therapy dog years ago, but this is the first one with her at the helm.

Bartash said since substitute teachers are needed at the elementary school level every day, Bornstein is at school nearly every day with her trusty partner.

“She’s been a real good addition to the school, helping kids when they’re having struggles,” Bartash said. “We have a fairly big special-needs population. She’s pretty good with them.”

“Staff and students just flock to her. She’s like a rock star here.”