USD Magazine Spring 2026

AROUND ALCALÁ PARK

The Case for Canine Companions Leslie Hennessy ’78 (MBA), ’14 (PhD), ’22 (JD) wants to make law school less stressful. Between late nights at the library and long days at the courthouse, the It was a win-win, and a real-world example of two nonprofits, USD and Canine Companions, supporting each other. Hennessy ran the idea by a colleague, “The students named the dog, so he’s often like a star when he arrives,” Hennessy said. “And the other thing was, I did guest lectures where I’d come

with the dog, and teach students all the regulations that go with service dogs and all the different ways they may interact with that as practicing lawyers.” In 2025, Amicus was fully trained and ready to provide his services elsewhere. It was bittersweet for the School of Law, but he ended up getting paired with a client who works for Colorado’s 23rd Judicial District. Amicus found himself right at home in the courthouse again. Meanwhile, Hennessy’s project with her alma mater continues on. She’s working with a new dog at the law school. He’s learning about torts and civil procedure. And how to properly accept pets. His name is Docket.

who got her in touch with folks at the School of Law. Done deal. In fact, it was the first contract Hennessy wrote since graduating from the School of Law in 2022. Students were excited and, fittingly, named their incoming classmate Amicus, a play on amicus curiae , or “friend of the court.” And he’s been just that ever since. The golden Labrador met staff and students at about four months old, and over the next year or so, made countless visits to the school. He’d come by to relieve some stress around midterm and final exams, but he also helped teach some important legal lessons.

demands for law students can be mentally and emotionally draining. Having gone through the process herself, Hennessy could empathize, and she saw a valuable opportunity to help. Hennessy also teaches classes in nonprofit leadership at USD’s School of Leadership and Education Sciences, where she often talks about the importance of collaboration among nonprofits. Turning her words into action, she set out to create her own example of nonprofit collaboration. For many years, Hennessy has been involved with Canine Companions, a nonprofit that trains dogs to help people with disabilities. Most importantly, they provide the dogs and their support all free of charge. “I was drawn to the idea of working with dogs. I knew that the dogs were really important to people with disabilities, but then when I got to see what the dogs actually do and how they create independence for people, I was hooked,” Hennessy said. “I thought maybe I’d raise one dog, and I just haven’t stopped.” Hennessy saw the USD School of Law as a great training ground for future Canine Companions. While the dogs learn the ins and outs of becoming service animals, they could also provide emotional support to law students, helping to lighten their mood.

Triple USD alumna Leslie A. Hennessy, PhD, with Canine Companion trainee Docket.

LEARN MORE about Canine Companions and the people they serve. canine.org

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