Alumni What’s White and Fluffy and Has a Dozen Paws? Alum’s Dog Troupe! Stories You May Like These Big Red Volunteers Have Warm Hearts—and Wet Noses The Wind Beneath His Wings: Alum Manages Pet Bird’s Career Once Upon a Time, Canines Cavorted on the Hill—Even in Class Owned and trained by Thy Nguyen Cavagnaro ’95, the Amazing Eskies model, act, and bring joy to children and seniors alike By Joe Wilensky The several dozen children gathered in a New Jersey library’s community room on a Thursday afternoon are wriggling and giggling with anticipation. On the makeshift stage, Thy “Tee” Nguyen Cavagnaro ’95 announces: “I need six volunteers.” Hands shoot up. Meanwhile, Kayu—one of Cavagnaro’s three American Eskimo dogs—sits, waiting calmly. Joe Wilensky / Cornell UniversityWowing the crowd at a New Jersey library. Cavagnaro lines up the lucky volunteers in pairs: two hold hula hoops a foot off the ground; two clasp hands and make a circle of their outstretched arms; two more lie on their backs. “You’ll have to stay perfectly still,” she tells the latter, “because you’re going to get jumped over.” Then she commands: “Kayu, through! Through! Through!” With an open-mouthed smile on its fluffy face, the dog leaps through the hoops and arms, then over the prone children—to cheers and squeals of delight. Cavagnaro and her dogs—a locally famous troupe known as the Amazing Eskies—perform numerous such shows at New Jersey libraries and nursing homes each year. After mingling with the crowd, the three furry stars—Kayu, Meri, and Buddy—do tricks; during nursing home visits, residents can also have one-on-one snuggle sessions with the dogs. Kayu in an Urban Outfitters ad. And the Eskies have much more on their résumés. They’ve worked as models, appearing in ads for brands like Polo Ralph Lauren, Martha Stewart, and PetSmart, and landed numerous acting gigs, including in the Eric Roberts thriller Days of Power. The Eskies have appeared in ads for brands like Polo Ralph Lauren, Martha Stewart, and PetSmart, and landed numerous acting gigs. (One of Cavagnaro's previous Eskies plays a dog named Hope in the 2017 movie, a horror film involving both puppy mills and human trafficking.) The pups have been filmed strutting down Broadway for a commercial; have represented their breed at American Kennel Club events and on TV; and appeared on Animal Planet’s “Dogs 101.” Appearing on the AKC’s “Good Dog TV.” “None of this was planned,” Cavagnaro says with a laugh. “We were just going to have one dog, as a pet.” A quarter-century ago, she and her husband spent several years researching breeds that would fit their lifestyle before deciding on the American Eskimo, fondly known to their humans as “Eskies.” None of this was planned. We were just going to have one dog, as a pet. Stories You May Like These Big Red Volunteers Have Warm Hearts—and Wet Noses The Wind Beneath His Wings: Alum Manages Pet Bird’s Career “They’re a naturally healthy breed,” she says. “I Ioved their looks, and the fact that they’re smart—everything about them.” Once the couple had a house with a yard, they brought home a puppy they named Atka. One day, a World War II veteran petted the dog outside a store—and told Cavagnaro the interaction “made my entire year.” Then-puppy Kayu gets a hug. Moved by the experience, she wanted to create more such moments. She eventually got a second Eskie, named Nuka, and trained both dogs to do tricks. The Eskies began doing regular nursing home visits and library shows—and along the way, they got the attention of theatrical agents. (With help from her husband, Cavagnaro balances the canines’ packed schedule with her job as a project manager for Canon USA.) And yes: the Eskies have visited the Hill—performing in 2013 at an event for Cornell’s chapter of Guiding Eyes for the Blind. They were even recruited for an (ultimately unsuccessful) tryout for “America’s Got Talent.” “They only give you 90 seconds to do your audition, and we’re not a 90-second act,” Cavagnaro explains. “So it was a really embarrassing experience, but I can laugh about it now.” Atka in a magazine ad with supermodel Carmen Dell’Orefice. In addition to her work with the Eskies, Cavagnaro has been active in honoring America’s Vietnam veterans—a role inspired by her unique personal history. A half-century ago—in April 1975, when she was just one year old—she and her family fled Saigon hours before the city fell, coming to the U.S. as refugees later that year. Walking the "pink carpet" at a bat mitzvah. In 2018, Cavagnaro capped a three-year effort to dedicate a monument in her south New Jersey community of Barnegat. Every year since, she has hosted a tribute ceremony there on Vietnam War Veterans Day (March 29); she and her husband have also hosted programs on the topic in area schools. Joe Wilensky / Cornell UniversityEagerly awaiting a post-show treat. “Both aspects of my life share a common thread,” she observes, “of giving back to others, and bringing joy to those who may need it—all while educating.” And while the two original Eskies have passed away, the team has continued with a new generation of canines. “We’ve had instances where children are afraid of dogs, but they lose that fear once they interact with them,” Cavagnaro says. “And the dogs are really fluffy—so that helps.” (All images provided, unless otherwise indicated.) Published May 1, 2025 Leave a Comment Cancel replyOnce your comment is approved, your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Class Year Email * Save my name, email, and class year in this browser for the next time I comment. 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