Yarmouth crossing guard and her bunny help students hop over to school

Yarmouth Crossing Guard Turns Corner Into Community Hub with Rabbit Sidekick

Yarmouth, Maine — At 7:14 a.m. on the first day of the 2026 school year, a lone figure in a neon‑yellow safety vest stood on the corner of Main and East Elm streets, a small animal carrier perched beside her folding chair. The woman, Laurie Asher, 66, has spent the last decade—sometimes in a gap of a few years—guiding Yarmouth students safely across Main Street for the morning shift, a job she shares with her beloved Holland Lop rabbit, Oreo.

“Every morning, I bring Oreo with me. He’s a part of the routine now,” Asher told reporters. “I love the kids, and I love the animals. They’re all part of the community.”

The crossing guard’s day begins with a quick check of the traffic lights and a pause to greet the first wave of students, many of whom ride bicycles to school. As she pulls a stop sign out of her hand, Oreo peeks out of the front of his carrier, his black‑and‑white fur glinting in the early light. Children pause mid‑stride to stroke his soft coat, while parents pause to wave or offer a quick snack. The scene has become a local tradition, so much so that Oreo’s portrait appeared in Yarmouth Elementary School’s yearbook last year.

“We’re all familiar with him,” said Kelly Loughman, walking with her son to school. “He’s a pillar of our community.”

Asher’s love for pets predates Oreo. Growing up in Cumberland, she surrounded herself with more than 20 cats and a variety of small animals. “Animals are everything to me,” she said. “They’ve always been part of my life.”

She first met Oreo three years ago in a North Yarmouth feed store while looking for supplies for her horse. The Holland Lop, with its brown eyes, has been her constant companion since. “I have to bring him to the corner rain or shine,” Asher explained. “If the weather’s too extreme, I’ll leave him at home, but it’s usually a daily ritual.”

The crossing guard is the only person employed in that capacity by the Yarmouth Police Department. The afternoon shift remains unfilled. In the afternoons, Asher works as a custodian at Yarmouth Elementary, where she is often seen greeting “Miss Laurie” as children pass by. Evenings find her running her own commercial cleaning business.

The morning routine has become a bonding moment for many families. Second‑grader Sally Savage stopped to visit Oreo, offering him a stalk of grass for a snack. Her mother, Meg Savage, said the visit is a ritual. “Sally wants to leave the house early so she can have more time with Oreo on her way to school,” she told us. “It’s something that gets talked about at least three times a week.”

On the sidewalk, a middle schooler with a rainbow bike helmet paused to comment on Oreo’s eyes. “I just noticed Oreo has brown eyes!” he exclaimed. The bunny’s calm demeanor earned him a quiet moment of companionship for many kids.

Asher’s parents, a pair of dogs, a horse, and several cats have all passed away over the past years, but her tattoos—hidden under her jacket—pay homage to the pets that once shared her life. “I’ve had to put down a dog and a horse,” she said, “but now I have Oreo and a black and white cat, and I know every dog that comes through the corner.”

She grew up in Cumberland, moved to Yarmouth during high school, and raised her three sons in the town. “I can’t imagine leaving,” Asher said. “It’s my community.”

The intersection of Main and East Elm is a familiar sight for Yarmouth residents. As traffic moves, drivers honk and wave, while childless pedestrians pause to say hello. When Asher steps into the middle of the street to stop traffic, she does so with a steady hand and a smile. Her overalls and insulated jacket keep her comfortable even on the coldest mornings.

In an interview with the Yarmouth School District, the district’s spokesperson highlighted the importance of safety for students biking to school. “We’re glad Laurie and Oreo are part of the community,” the spokesperson said. “Their presence helps remind our students that safety and kindness go hand in hand.”

As the morning progresses, Asher opens the carrier for children to stroke Oreo, feeds him pieces of dried papaya, and occasionally lifts the rabbit for a quick cuddle. The small animal’s presence has become an anticipated part of the morning commute for many Yarmouth students, a source of comfort amid the hustle of school life.

By 8:45 a.m., Asher signs off and the intersection returns to its usual traffic flow. Yet for the kids and parents who cross Main Street each morning, the moment when a familiar face in a neon vest and a friendly rabbit greet them is a highlight of the day.

“As long as I can keep doing this,” Asher said, “I’ll keep coming out here. Kids are everything.”

Her dedication reflects a broader trend in small towns, where community members often juggle multiple roles. Asher’s story—part crossing guard, part pet caregiver, part custodian, part business owner—illustrates how one person can weave safety, affection, and daily routine into the fabric of a town’s life.