In the halls of CV-TEC, students juggling career training and academic pressures now have a unique source of support—a lovable, four-legged companion named Blu. A three-year-old Australian Shepherd, Blu is not just a school mascot but a certified therapy dog who offers emotional comfort twice a week to students in need of a stress-relieving pause.
Blu’s calming presence has become a go-to for many students at CV-TEC. Senior Luke Boskey-Bouchard shared, “Every time that I’m really stressed, and I just need to take a breath or go on a walk, I always go to see Blu.” For Luke, and numerous others, Blu has become more than just a comforting friend—he’s part of the school’s family.
What sets Blu apart is his resilience. Born deaf, Blu communicates through hand signals and non-verbal cues, a method students have embraced. “Because he was born deaf, he actually can’t hear anything,” explained Anika Sewell, a Work-Based Learning Specialist at CV-TEC. “We talk with him using hand signals, and we say his name in sign language, which is ‘Blu’. When you wave at him, he gets super excited. That’s been a really cool experience for the students.”
Blu’s impact is felt across the entire CV-TEC campus, extending beyond classrooms. Whether curled up beside students in the school salon or making rounds in the automotive garage, Blu brings joy wherever he goes. Stephen Bassett, an Automotive Technology instructor, remarked, “We’re always working on cars, and it’s just a nice little turnaround once in a while, seeing Blu smile while roaming into the room or helping out in any way that he can.”
Certified as a therapy dog just last summer, Blu’s role at CV-TEC has blossomed rapidly. His visits aren’t limited to the school; he also brightens days at Saranac Middle School and will accompany CV-TEC students to the New York State SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Championships in Syracuse next week.
Sewell reflected on Blu’s importance to the school community: “Having him here to greet students and ease some of that daily stress really helps instill that sense of community.” She added that Blu supports the school’s “You Matter” model, helping students feel valued and understood.
Blu’s presence serves as a reminder of the power of unconditional love and companionship in creating a supportive, cohesive school environment.
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