The wonderful ‘tail’ of Finch

Labrador becomes a therapy dog under Calhoun grad’s care

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

The bond between Anna Dobkowksi and Finch, an American Labrador retriever, was truly a match made in heaven — and one that wouldn’t have been possible without Dobkowski’s former teacher at Sanford H. Calhoun High School, Beth Johnson.

Dobkowski, 20, of Merrick, graduated from Calhoun in 2021. She met Johnson when she was a junior, and taking part in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s

Twilight Program. That lateafternoon program is designed for students who may need extra help with assignments, employment and other ventures, and who may succeed better in a non-traditional high school setting.

“We formed a really nice bond, and she became very interested in animal studies,” Johnson said. “She wanted to go to BOCES part of the day — she’s an amazing horse rider — and then she discovered this real love of animals.”

Dobkowski told the Herald CONTINUED ON PAGE 4