Clyde, the Emotional Support Dog of SBHS

School can be a very stressful and overwhelming environment for many students. The presence of a friendly pet can oftentimes aid in soothing some of these strong emotions.  Santa Barbara High School’s (SBHS) very own Clyde, a Great Dane, is a licensed service and emotional support dog. Clyde received his training through Therapy Dogs of Santa Barbara, an organization that provides emotional support and therapy dog licenses to puppies throughout our community. Marc Fidel, a math teacher on campus and Clyde’s owner, put Clyde through this process from puppyhood, in order to have a dog that is welcomed in the halls of SBHS and other Santa Barbara Unified schools.

Clyde came into Fidel’s life after Fidel lost his previous Great Dane the year before. In the first semester of this school year, Fidel and his teacher assistant at the time, Belle Olivera, a current SBHS senior, began researching ways to help Clyde serve as an emotionally supportive outlet not just for Fidel’s students but for students across the district.

Clyde joins Fidel in his classroom often contributing to an overall more positive, and cute, learning environment. “The class is so much calmer when he is here. I cannot really quantify it.” Fidel shared when asked about the environment Clyde creates.

SBHS sophomore Gianna Cardi provides a student perspective on how having Clyde in class makes her feel. She stated, “Fidel is such a welcoming teacher, and Clyde really relieves my academic stress!” 

Fidel hopes, in the future, for Clyde to be able to travel to elementary and junior high schools to share support and love. With his affiliation with Santa Barbara Therapy Dogs, Clyde can travel to schools throughout the district, from kindergarten through eighth grade, when invited. 

“Not only is Clyde welcome in Santa Barbara High School, but the district signed an… agreement with Santa Barbara Therapy Dogs that any school that signs up can have a therapy dog come, and it is all legit,” Fidel stated.

Clyde not only shows love and emotional support but also brings people together. Many students shared that when they walk around with Clyde on a leash, people they have never spoken to approach them, and they get to interact.

Olivera stated, “From what I’ve seen being in multiple different classes and environments of students with Clyde is that having a therapy dog on campus breaks down barriers. I have seen students who are usually very quiet come out of their shell with Clyde and be themselves for the first time.” Olivera said. 

Clyde is a resource for all students to bond, learn, and cope with hard emotions. He roams the halls of Santa Barbara High School and Fidel’s room, bringing everyone together. Come by and say hi!