For nearly seven years, Cole the therapy dog has been a beloved part of his New Jersey school community. Every day, he comforts, encourages and brings joy to the students he works with — so when his birthday comes around, the kids make sure to celebrate him in the biggest way possible.
“Each year, the school has celebrated Cole’s birthday as if he were a member of the faculty,” Cole’s dad, Chris Hannah, told The Dodo. “Even during the pandemic, we made sure to honor him with virtual celebrations.”
This year, Cole’s birthday bash was extra special. Dressed in a festive birthday outfit, he rolled into the cafeteria in a decorated wagon pushed by his student friends. The entire school was waiting to surprise him — and the moment they revealed what they’d been practicing for weeks brought everyone to tears.
Since Cole is deaf, the students learned how to sign “Happy Birthday” in American Sign Language. With their voices and hands moving in perfect harmony, they serenaded their furry friend in a way he could fully understand.
Cole was thrilled. Normally calm and collected while on the job, he spent his party being silly, playful and full of energy. “He looked around at all angles to see the students signing to him with the utmost attention on their hands,” Hannah said.
The kids were just as excited to see Cole’s joyful reaction. They’d spent two weeks perfecting the song because they wanted his day to be unforgettable.
After the performance, Cole received his traditional birthday cheeseburger — another highlight of the celebration — before being wheeled out of the cafeteria in his wagon, happily exhausted from all the love and attention.
“Cole is such an important part of these students’ lives,” Hannah said. “To see their love and admiration for him is nothing short of breathtaking.”
