SEM Dogs: More Than Just Fluff
By: Delaney G.
Photo Credit: Ms. Cunningham
Photo Credit: Ms. Adamczyk
Photo Credit: Miss Alex
We all go to Buffalo Seminary for a reason. It may be our independence, it may be the stunning architecture, it may be that our parents forced us, or, for some of us—okay, let’s be honest, for all of us—it may be the dogs. Leo, Daisy, Remy, we all know their names. We all recognize the pitter-patter of their little feet and the scrape of their claws against the floor that sends us rushing to fawn over arguably the three cutest dogs in the world. No matter what your relationship with SEM—student, staff member, parent—you most certainly have heard at least something about our beloved fluffy friends.
Carried around by Ms. Cunningham throughout the school and wandering up and down the second floor everyday, Leo is a well-known dog at SEM. He became a recurring visitor after Ms. Cunningham adopted him during the holiday season of 2015. While originally staying in the dorms where Ms. Cunningham used to live and visiting the school only occasionally, he quickly ended up coming to SEM everyday. “I started bringing Leo because he’s just cute,” Ms. Cunningham laughs. “The kids loved him and the teachers here loved him, so I just thought, ‘Hey, I’m gonna bring him here all the time now.’” Leo can be found searching for treats, playing with his toys, or acting as an unofficial therapy dog. Many students find him to be somewhat aloof, but according to Ms. Cunningham, he enjoys softer treats and will become more social in exchange for them. At home, his habits are similar to his habits at SEM: he’s calm and follows Ms. Cunningham around, although he does travel around in a backpack too—something we don’t get to see at school.
On the second floor resides Daisy, who belongs to Ms. Adamczyk. Before Daisy, there was Rosie. Ms. Adamczyk got Rosie after her youngest child went to college so she wouldn’t be alone, but this meant that there would be nobody to look after a puppy during the day, so Ms. Adamczyk started bringing Rosie to SEM. After Rosie passed away, Daisy began coming to SEM. Daisy spends everyday at school either sleeping or asking for treats, but Ms. Adamczyk describes her as “the craziest dog I’ve ever owned.” She’s quite affectionate, but her affection drives her to such an excitement that she has trouble controlling herself when she’s around people. Bunnies excite her too, actively chasing and barking at them at home. Ms. Adamczyk said, though, that she would be too afraid of the bunnies to hurt them, proving that despite all her craziness, Daisy really is just a sweetheart.
Remy, Alex Skomra’s Italian Greyhound, comes to SEM only once every few months. But he used to spend every day here. A few years ago, he broke his leg and had to be constantly monitored. Like the unsuspecting freshmen on the first day of school, Remy got thrown into SEM and quickly became a part of the community. He has always loved to be pet, which makes him get excited when people come to spend time with him. This excitement may seem like a normal thing, but Miss Alex assures us that his energy is something to be treasured. He can often be found sleeping in Nurse Kim’s office, and when asked what Remy is like when he’s not at SEM, Miss Alex’s immediate response is “sleeping.” He sleeps while Miss Alex is at work and awakens from his almost-permanently drowsy state to greet her as she comes home. “He gets really excited in small spurts and then once the excitement is worn off, he’s asleep,” says Miss Alex matter-of-factly. Remy, while a somewhat uncommon visitor, wins the prize for most relatable dog at SEM.
It may seem like these pets are a thing of the present, but dogs were a SEM staple long before its current students walked through those big, wooden doors. Before Leo, Daisy, Remy, or even Rosie, there was Moose, an amiable yellow Labrador Retriever with an affinity for apples. Owned by a former art teacher, Moose spent much of his time in the art room, though he did roam around SEM’s halls. In fact, most rooms had apple corers because while on his strolls, he would beg both students and staff alike for apples. “He would be great with kids or with anybody. Everybody loved him,” recalls Ms. Adamczyk.
Dogs at SEM—whether those of the past, present, or future—are the reason why students feel comfortable at 205 Bidwell Parkway. “I think it’s important that he’s in here, especially when there’s hard conversations to be had,” Ms. Cunningham says about Leo, before stating his role as a stress relief in her own life. Other staff and students corroborate this opinion, mentioning how everyone at SEM looks forward to seeing the dogs everyday and how it boosts the students’ mood. “It can help refresh students if they were having a bad day,” explains Rory Longo ‘26, a current sophomore. Additionally, Reem Murad ‘24 and Gabbie Fruehauf ‘26 shared that having dogs at SEM makes the environment “less formal” and it makes the school “homier.” We are all human, so we all have our own opinions, but the role of the SEM dogs is something everyone can agree on: the dogs here at Buffalo Seminary make the school a better place.
Delaney Gradwell
Delaney is a sophomore at SEM. Outside of writing for The Monocle, she enjoys spending time with her friends, reading, learning random history facts, and running. Her favorite part about SEM is the kindness of students and staff.
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