Full Breakdown
Therapy Dogs Help Evergreen High School Heal After 2025 Shooting
By Drooid · · How we work
The Shooting and Its Aftermath
In September 2025, a 16-year-old student opened fire with a revolver at Evergreen High School in Jefferson County, Colorado, wounding two classmates before turning the gun on himself. The shooter died at the scene. Local officials reported that three students were taken to hospital in critical condition, with one remaining critical and another stable, while a fourth student sustained an injury of unspecified severity.
Therapy Dogs Arrive at Evergreen High School
The nonprofit Canine Companions placed two golden-lab retrievers—Norene and Polenta—on the Evergreen campus to provide trauma-support services. The dogs walk the halls, visit classrooms, and spend time in the counselor’s office, offering a steady, non-judgmental presence for students and staff.
How the Dogs Support the Community
Canine Companions trains support dogs from puppyhood to perform tasks ranging from basic obedience to responding to individuals experiencing distress. Counselors note that the dogs’ presence appears to lower cortisol levels and encourages students who might otherwise remain silent to engage with staff.
Official Statements & Responses
Governor Jared Polis expressed his devastation, stating, “My heart goes out to the victims and their families as they grapple with this senseless act of violence.”
Data & Statistics
- Two dogs (Norene and Polenta) are assigned to Evergreen High School; they are expected to remain in the role for eight to ten years before retirement.
- The school’s homecoming football game on October 6, 2026 featured a “puppy homecoming court” in which the dogs were crowned king and queen, reflecting community recognition of their role.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the dogs’ arrival dates. One report states Norene began in March 2025 and Polenta in August 2025, while another indicates Norene joined in January 2025 with Polenta arriving in August 2025. No source provides a definitive timeline for the dogs’ training completion or the exact number of students who regularly interact with them each day.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Every morning after I get off the bus, I have to say hi to these two. It’s my first thing I do every day,” — Fisher Helbraun, a junior at Evergreen High School
- “You don't need to talk about what's going on in your life or how something is affecting you. You can just get the love from the dogs, and it really helps,” — Quinn McEvers
What’s Next
Principal Artes plans to request additional support dogs from Canine Companions once Norene and Polenta retire, emphasizing the value of “unconditional love and support” for the school’s ongoing recovery.