Beloved Monessen therapy dog dies

Sammy made more than 200 visits to schools, hospitals & other facilities.

Sammy was a regular visitor to Monessen Elementary Center. Submitted

When Monessen students return to school next week, a beloved member of the Greyhounds community won’t be there to greet them.

Monessen Superintendent Dr. Robert Motte has announced that their therapy dog, Sammy, recently passed away.

In a statement, Motte outlined how much Sammy, also known as “Samson Vicenzo,” meant to the district and its students.

“Sammy will be missed more than words can express,” Motte said. “His calm spirit and unconditional love created moments of connection and healing for countless students, staff and families. We are grateful for the time we had with him and the difference he made in our schools.”

Motte said all the memories he has of Sammy are of him making students happy. He said Sammy was gentle and that his presence alone made all students happy.

“Sammy touched the lives of so many in our district — greeting students with his gentle presence, bringing comfort during difficult times, and spreading joy in every hallway and classroom he entered,” Motte said. “He was more than a therapy dog; he was a true member of the Greyhound family.”

In his statement, Motte acknowledged that the loss of Sammy might be difficult for some of those in the community. If anyone needs help, he encouraged them to reach out to the district offices for guidance and assistance.

“Let us continue to honor Sammy’s memory by carrying forward the kindness, comfort and joy he so effortlessly shared with us all,” THERAPY DOG •A4

“Sammy taught me about living fully in the moment, about kindness without condition and about love that never fades.”

STEPHANIE GUGLIELMI

SAMMY’S OWNER Motte said.

Stephanie Guglielmi, Sammy’s owner, shared the news of his passing on Facebook, stating that he was a friend to everyone he interacted with.

“Sammy taught me about living fully in the moment, about kindness without condition and about love that never fades,” Guglielmi said. “Though my heart is so heavy, I am forever grateful for the years we shared, the memories we made, and the inseparable bond we created.”

According to Guglielmi, Sammy, an AKC-registered Golden Retriever, was 10 years old when he died on Aug. 16. Since becoming a therapy dog, he had made more than 200 therapy visits to schools, hospitals, personal care homes, nursing homes, libraries and coffee shops.

Guglielmi also said that at age 3, Sammy became the father of nine golden retriever puppies.

“Sammy came into my life when he was just eight weeks old,” Guglielmi said. “I already had another golden, Max, and I wanted to get him a little brother. When I went to the house to pick out a puppy, the lady opened the door and all of the puppies ran up the steps, but one. I looked down into the basement, and the sweetest little face looked back up at me with the cutest eyes. I said, ‘He’s the one.’ And that sweet little dog gave me that same look for the next 10 years we shared together.”

Guglielmi said Sammy had always been a kind and gentle soul. His love for humans and his need to make people happy were the reasons Guglielmi decided to make him a therapy dog.

Sammy and Guglielmi trained diligently through Paw & Order Dog Training, passing their Canine Good Citizen Exam in March 2023 and the Therapy Dog United exam in May 2023.

Guglielmi approached Motte with the idea and presented Sammy in front of the school board. Once approved, Sammy started coming to school on Fridays. She said he instantly became a favorite and found himself coming to school and after-school functions.

“My favorite part about Sammy was the way he could always make me smile, even on the worst of days,” she said. “Sammy walked with me through joy and heartbreak, and without ever saying a word, he gave me a sense of peace. It is going to be impossible to forget the dog that gave me so much to remember.”

Guglielmi also had a message to share with the Greyhound family that Sammy loved so much.

“Sammy taught us about living fully in the moment, about kindness without condition, and about love that never fades,” she said. “He didn’t care what you looked like, what clothes you wore, how expensive your shoes were or how popular you were among your peers. Sammy only knew how to love. He cared about your heart and the way you treated others. We all need to take a lesson in kindness from him. The world would be a much better place if everybody had a heart like Sammy.”