By Katie Vasquez
At Kellenberg Memorial High School, the hallways sometimes resemble a zoo, with birds, peacocks, and dogs roaming alongside students and teachers.
Junior Bria Green described her surprise upon seeing the animals.
“I honestly had to do a double take because I walked in and it was like birds, peacocks, dogs. And I was like, wow, this is kind of like a zoo.”
Fellow junior Abigail Hassett echoed the sentiment. “I walked in and I see the birds and I see the peacocks, and there’s dogs walking around, and the teachers are walking around with the dogs and everyone’s talking about how much they love it.”
This unique environment has been a hallmark of the Long Island Catholic school since it opened in 1987, when the Society of Mary brothers and priests moved in and brought their pets with them.
Principal Brother Kenneth M. Hoagland, S.M., explained the longstanding tradition. “From the very first day we had our pets and we’ve shared them.”
During study hall, students have the opportunity to walk the dogs around the school. For many teens, it’s more than a chore—it’s a valuable stress reliever.
“If you’re having a bad day, like a bad quiz or bad test, they just always cheer you up and it’s always just a cute thing,” Green said. “They’re adorable and they just make it so special.”
Brother Hoagland added, “They’re like guard dogs. They guard against anxiety, fear and sadness.”
The school’s maintenance staff, including Supervisor of Grounds and Landscaping Kevin Wells-Hardy, cares for the more exotic animals, such as peacocks, koi fish, and parrots.
“It’s unique. It’s special because no other place has anything like this,” Wells-Hardy said. He noted that the peacocks are “pretty much self-sufficient. We just have to make sure they stay put. They don’t fly out.”
Beyond the fun, the animals provide a hands-on lesson in responsibility and respect for creation.
“We have a respect for God’s creation, but also we have a responsibility to care for all God’s creation,” Brother Hoagland said. “So, we feel very engaged in that work.”
Abigail emphasized the students’ role: “Making sure that they’re safe, that no one harms them or anything.”
This cherished school tradition is one that Kellenberg Memorial plans to continue for years to come.