In memory of therapy and school dog Emma

Some dogs are never forgotten 🐾

Emma was one of them.

In memory of therapy and school dog Emma 🐾

In March 2026, we said goodbye to a truly special dog.

Emma, the Standard Poodle, was more than just a therapy and school dog – she was a heart that beat for others.

Together with Torill Øverby Kvan, she formed a unique team. There was something about the way they worked together – dedicated, steady, and present. They didn't need big words or a lot of fuss. They were simply there, and that was enough.

Emma had a natural gift for truly seeing people.

She moved from person to person, greeting everyone, but always paused a little longer with those who needed it most. It was as if she knew. As if she understood. And perhaps she did.

At Lønnebakken School, Emma became part of the daily life of students who needed something extra. Something safe. Something real. For many, she was the reason to show up at school. Someone to look forward to. Someone who made no demands, yet still opened the door to learning, mastery, and connection.

One student put it so simply and so powerfully:

"It’s extra nice to have a dog at school when you’re having a bad day."

Emma was finely tuned and sensitive, yet full of joy for her work. She met people without judgment or expectations – and that is exactly why she received so much in return. She created space for laughter, for calm, and for small moments of security that could grow into something bigger.

But Emma was never alone in this.

Torill’s warmth, experience, and deep understanding of people were the foundation. Together, they created something that cannot be measured by methods or results alone, but by what happens when two living beings bring out the very best in each other.

It is encounters like these that leave a lasting mark.

Emma is gone now, but her legacy lives on. In the memories, in the people she met, and in everything she and Torill helped build.

Thank you, dear Emma.

And thank you, Torill, for your dedication, your wisdom, and everything you have contributed to the field – and for choosing to be a part of ICofA-Community. 🐾