The end of the school year was not the only thing that ended this week at Bridgeport High School. There was an end that will be devastating to many in the school system who do not already know.

 

The one who walked the halls at BHS more beloved than anyone before him is gone. Quietly, sweetly, after 42 years of business at the Johnson Avenue school, along with some time at the other city public schools, a career ended.

 

It is a career that needs to be celebrated. And one, thankfully, others will try to continue.

 

On Monday, June 1, Bridgeport Police Department Prevention Resource Officer (PRO) Jamie Hamrick announced that the school system’s therapy dog, Connor, had finished his last day on the job. While it was just six years in human time, it was 42 years in dog years – and Connor has certainly earned his retirement after a test run that turned into something better than even the most optimistic of individuals could have forecasted.

 

“I don’t think anyone saw the impact this was going to have. I had no clue,” said Hamrick. “Yeah, people like dogs, but people embracing him like they have was unbelievable. I think the first time I knew just how much of an impact he was making was on one of first parades where he went back and forth and people were yelling his name. It’s been a wonderful journey.”

 

The journey almost never happened. Not because of anything nefarious, but the circumstances that set it up.

 

“Connor just wandered into my yard several years ago. We were finally able to track down the owner, and they wanted a little bit of money,” said Hamrick. “If that doesn’t happen, I don’t know if anything like this happens. I guess it was meant to be.”

 

The rest, they say, is history.

 

As for investments by the City of Bridgeport, it would be hard pressed to find one better than Connor – and the other therapy dogs under the guise of Hamrick (including Connor’s wife Chloe) and the Bridgeport Police Department.

 

“Connor worked for free. I do get a stipend for harnesses, leashes, and set covers for the cruiser along with a bag of chow every month. Other than that, his costs are minimal. His payoff is not money. It’s attention,” Hamrick said with a laugh.

 

Connor, who has been semi-retired for a few years, loves affection. Whether it is a pat on the chin, scratching his ears, or tummy rubs and kisses, Hamrick easily can see where Connor’s labor is rewarded.

 

“He loves attention; really loves it because he’s got a bit of ego. He thinks everyone loves him, and I think he’s right. I would say about the only thing better than attention for Connor are treats, and he got plenty of those,” said Hamrick.

 

Hamrick still remembers Connor’s first day on the job, a few months before COVID ended his school presence for a bit. After he was certified as a therapy dog at the end of 2019, Connor was introduced at a City Council meeting.

 

“At that same meeting they were honoring the football team and all those big kids were surrounding Connor and loving on him. I knew if those kids were doing that then the little kids were going to do it too,” said Hamrick. “Then, and now, I’m aware not everyone is a dog person. Still, it seemed like everyone he met loved him, and he ate it up.”

 

Only COVID interrupted Connor’s impact. Even in those few months before the lengthy remote learning break, Hamrick felt like Connor was a hit. When school resumed regularly, she was certain.

 

“At first, everyone in the high school wanted to see Connor. Then, I took him to other schools, and they wanted him to come back,” said Hamrick. “Eventually, teachers started having dog treats in their rooms and put beds down for him. A lot of teachers wanted him in their rooms, and some tried harder than others. He was welcome in the schools.”

Despite the love and attention, Connor’s purpose was to work. Primarily, he was to help Hamrick in her job of earning the trust of the students. That, too, worked out perfectly.

 

“He was wonderful tool for that. Sometimes, even if a kid didn’t open up to me right away, I could see the connection with the dog,” said Hamrick. “When you’ve been around kids as long as I have been, you can tell if a child has had a hard evening or there’s a situation. They would pet Connor and relax, where I didn’t have to push. Connor filled that role perfectly.”

 

Now, Connor will manage another role perfectly – retirement. In his place, still part time, will be 6-year-old Chloe. Their children Will and Cassie will man the full time duties.

 

“Connor is 11 and a half years old. He’s still in fairly good health, but he doesn’t hear and see quite as well. He doesn’t jump into the car like he used to and while his hips aren’t hurting, he favors them a bit,” said Hamrick. “He just doesn’t have the energy to go from school to school and classroom to classroom. It’s time for him to step away from the schools, but you may still see him out with me somewhere else like at the Rec Complex.

 

“I imagine people will remember him for a while. I went to Rural King recently with him and three people walked up to me knew who he was,” said Hamrick. “The best part was two of the people I didn’t know. I guess part of his retirement will be running into his friends.”

 

The first week of retirement consisted of laying in the shade. It also consisted of what will happen a bit, and that’s a trip to the river.

 

“He likes to swim. That’s his new treat,” said Hamrick.

 

And a treat well deserved. Enjoy retirement Connor. You have earned it.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo and third photo shows Officer Jamie Hamrick with Connor in front of JES and inside of BHS, respectively. In the second photo, even Saint Nick is a fan of Connor. In the fourth images several Bridgeport High educators take a second to give Connor some much needed attention. In the fifth photo, Connor is shown heading out of BHS for the final time, while he's shown on his first week of retirement in the bottom photo enjoying some shade. Photos courtesy of Jamie Hamrick.