Honor the Veterans

The students at Saint Catherine Academy recognized Veterans Day and were treated with a visit from Sgt. Anthony Jacabacci and his dog, Zora. Anthony is a dog handler in the US Army and Zora is a trained bomb sniffer. 

Sgt. Jacabacci is the son of Darlene Jacabacci, Vocational Coordinator at Saint Catherine Academy.

Following a 10 month deployment to Afghanistan, Sgt. Jacabacci trained to become a dog handler. The student came prepared to ask him many questions. Jonathan asked, “What was it like to be away from your family when you were sent overseas?

Sgt. Jacabacci responded with candor, “Initially, it was awful, but the people you deploy with become your family.”

“What kind of training do you have to do to be a dog handler?” asked Josh. “When I am not on assignment, I have to complete two hours of personal training and then spend two to three hours of training with Zora. This might be running an obstacle course or finding explosives in the training field, “answered Sgt. Jacabacci.

Sgt. Jacabacci has had a number of very interesting assignments. He was on the Pope’s detail when Pope Francis visited New York City; he travelled with President Obama on the 50 Mile March in Alabama and was with the detail that travelled with Vice President Biden when he visited Yale University.

The students and staff really enjoyed the visit and meeting Sgt. Jacabacci and Zora – who we learned, outranks his handler!