Meet Duchess, she is a one-year-old Anatolian Shepherd who didn’t have the easiest start in life. She was found living under a bridge. When she was rescued, it didn’t take long for everyone to realize that she had a naturally gentle way about her. Even after everything she’d been through, her calm loving demeanor made her a great fit for Abilene high school.  

“Once I became a school counselor, I wanted to find a way to get a dog in the school, knowing the benefits they have,” Mrs. Schlesner said. 

In the fall, AHS was able to get in contact with Rescues for Education; they provide extensive training to best prepare dogs for school life. Once they have graduated from training, they are placed in a school that is the best fit for the dog.  

Duchess gets to live her best life, coming to work every day for Abilene High School and then going home with her handler, Rachel Schlesener.