During a recent community meeting, faculty and students had the opportunity to learn more about a very special member of our campus community, Trooper, the service dog of Sofia Solari, our ELL/Spanish teacher, aka Ms. Solari. Sofia shared Trooper’s story, offering insight into the vital role service animals can play in supporting independence, access, and daily life.

Sofia was born with a progressive hearing loss disorder that has continued into adulthood. Over time, this hearing loss has presented increasing challenges, particularly in environments that rely heavily on auditory cues. In November of 2023, Sofia was matched with Trooper through Canine Companions, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising and training service dogs for people with disabilities. Canine Companions provides highly trained dogs at no cost to recipients and supports a wide range of needs, including hearing assistance, general service support, PTSD, medical alert services, and facility work.

Trooper’s journey to Sofia was a remarkable one. He began his life as a puppy raiser dog for seven months at the Gadsden County Women’s Prison, where incarcerated individuals helped socialize and care for him as part of a rehabilitation and service initiative. From there, Trooper moved on to a year of professional training through the Canine Companions campus in Orlando, Florida, specializing in the Southeast Hearing Dog Program. After a long two-year wait, Sofia and Trooper were finally matched—a moment that marked the beginning of a life-changing partnership. Sofia then completed an intensive two-week training program alongside Trooper, culminating in their graduation together as a certified service dog team.

Today, Trooper assists her by alerting her to important sounds such as phone alarms, doorbells, fire alarms, and knocking—critical cues that might otherwise go unnoticed. He accompanies Sofia to every class and has quickly become a familiar and beloved presence on campus. More than just a service dog, Trooper represents independence and the power of support systems that make inclusive communities possible.

We are grateful to Sofia for sharing her story and to Trooper for the quiet but meaningful role he plays in our daily life at Hyde. Their partnership is a powerful reminder of the many ways our community is strengthened through understanding, compassion, and connection.