Attitudes In Reverse® Honors Brenda Pfau of the Hopewell Valley Regional School District, as Partner in Hope

Brenda Pfau, a teacher in the Hopewell Valley Regional School District, and her dog Yale are one of 75 Attitudes in Reverse® (AIR®) certified therapy dog teams in this school district and others throughout the state. They provide emotional support to students and encourage those experiencing mental health difficulties to speak with school counselors, who then connect youth in need of higher-level mental health care with providers in the local communities. Pfau will be honored for her and Yale’s dedication and positive impact with a Partner in Hope Award during AIR’s 9th Annual Taste of Hope event on October 8, 2025, from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. at the Princeton Marriott at Forrestal, Princeton, NJ.

“I first learned about AIR several years ago when I was teaching summer school. There were dogs from AIR for a social/emotional day. Just seeing how the children reacted when they saw a dog in the school was amazing. At that time, it was just after COVID; kids had been at home and we were just getting back to life. The dogs made life more normal for both the kids and the adults,” Pfau shared. “Therapy dogs impact kids, as well as staff, in schools by reducing stress, boosting confidence, encouraging social skills and creating a calm, more inclusive and supportive environment that helps students learn and feel safe. They also encourage positive behavior, help build social connections and reduce anxiety.”

“When our district shared the opportunity to work with AIR, I jumped at the opportunity. I knew Yale would make an amazing school therapy dog. He was born at The Seeing Eye and bred to be a guide dog. Even as a puppy, this guy could learn quickly and connect emotionally with others. There’s something very special about the way he can pick up on what others are feeling,” Pfau said.

“AIR’s message unfortunately hit close to home with a close member of our family taking their own life two years ago. I’m not sure where we would all be now if it wasn’t for Yale. I decided to train with AIR to share Yale’s gift of love and comfort with others,” Pfau said. “He is not just a therapy dog. He was a member of our 5th grade class last year. Yale greeted them in the hallway, participated in the morning meetings and was involved in many aspects of their learning. He was there to give hugs and smiles and he has become quite a celebrity not only in our school, but also in the community.”

“We are proud and delighted to honor Brenda for the amazing positive influence that she and Yale are having on students at Hopewell Elementary School,” said AIR Co-Founders Tricia and Kurt Baker. “Whether students are having a difficult day or ongoing emotional difficulties, being able to visit Yale during school hours opens up opportunities to address the trying situations in their lives and give them the emotional support they need to thrive,” the Bakers added.

“It’s disheartening to see schools not able to provide the mental and emotional health support their students need because of a lack of financial resources. Physical and mental health are essential for students to succeed in school and achieve all other goals in their lives,” the Bakers added. “Schools need to invest in students’ wellbeing as well as their education to give them the best possible opportunities now and in the future.”

To help create more AIR Certified Therapy Dog teams throughout New Jersey, AIR established a dedicated fundraiser as part of its Taste of Hope campaign. Please click here to contribute to AIR’s Therapy Dog training and certification program to enable many more school faculty and staff, who are interested in having their dogs become certified emotional support animals, to achieve this goal to support students.

Pfau will be honored along with fellow Partners in Hope West Windsor Gives Back and Neelima Mahapatra, Founder of AmileenScapes; and Champions of Hope Joe Papa, Founder and CEO of TruVersity; and Radwa Saad, DMD, a nationally recognized cosmetic and implant dentist at Dent Blanche Dental.

AIR is most appreciative of the Taste of Hope event sponsors Summit Dental Partners; Dr. Dayna Zoller; Szaferman Lakind Attorneys at Law; Stark & Stark Attorneys at Law; Philadelphia Insurance Companies; Leary, Bride, Mergner & Bongiovanni P.A. Attorneys at Law; Ocean First Bank; Princeton Brain & Spine; Renzi Legal Resources; and Hinkle, Prior & Fischer Attorneys at Law; J. Robert Bratman; Sasha’s Sitters; Hofing Management; BeTheLi9ht Foundation; Dr. Nirav Shah; Torrieri Contracting, LLC; Champagne Law Group, LLC; and Mike & Paula Mumola.

AIR is equally grateful for the participating restaurants and dessert, wine and spirit vendors: A&A Distributors, ABC Indian Grill, Amalfi’s Kitchen & Bar, Anna Mae’s Catering, Black Pearl, Bonefish Grill, Buy Rite Wines & Spirits, Carella's Chocolates, Crown of India, Iron & Ivy at Princeton Marriott, McCaffrey’s, Outback Steakhouse, PF Chang's, My Pink Little Cake, Public Wine, Beer & Spirits, Texas Roadhouse, Railroad Distillery, Seasons 52 and Starbucks.

To register to sponsor and/or attend the Taste of Hope event or make a donation, please visit https://toh.ngo/.