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My humorous thoughts about life.

"My Humorous and Helpful Thoughts About Teaching / Educational Resources for Your Classroom / Music and Random Fun"

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Dogwood Loves Dogs

Hello, peeps! I know I usually post Wordless Wednesday pictures on Tuesday nights, but I'm so excited to tell you about my school, that I figured I'd go ahead and spread my story right now. I'm participating in Fenced in by Love's Campaign to find the organization of the year that makes a difference in surrounding dogs with tenderness and affection.

Although Dogwood Elementary School's mascot is the dolphin, maybe it should
Ms. Pittman gives treat to Penny
be the dog for there's no 
shortage of love for these furry animals at this school in Germantown, Tennessee. For the past two years, dogs who accompany their kids to school receive a tasty treat and multiple pats on the head through the car window. These same dogs can gobble up a second goody at the end of the school day. 


This Dogwood tradition provides a fun human/animal connection for fourth and fifth grade safety patrol members, staff working the car line, and the dogs as well. The kids eagerly watch the cars to see if Cookie or Max will be pulling in soon. When the dogs arrive, students must learn compromising skills for determining who will be the lucky kid to give out a treat. The kids know all the dogs by name and what kind of car they will arrive in. As a staff member, I too enjoy visiting with our fur babies. I've especially enjoyed watching one puppy triple in size.


Kona
Many parents have reported stories about their dogs waiting at the door to go to school on Monday morning, as if they instinctively know the week end is over. Our snow day (or rather freezing rain day) proved to be a huge disappointment for Penny, the dog pictured above, without her twice daily visit to school. She arrives each morning with a puddle of drool dripping down the side of the van. Although her owner must constantly wipe the side of her car, she still brings our friend to school. Penny even brought donuts to car lane workers to celebrate Christmas one December morning.


Kona at Work
Dogwood Elementary School also enjoys a therapy dog on Wednesdays. Kona has been certified as a therapy dog and as a reading dog. He tries to visit school each week to allow special education students to read to him, as well as some struggling readers. The children light up at the chance to read to Kona. His services also provided a popular auction item at the fund raiser because every kid wants a chance to read to Kona. 

So what's next for Dogwood? Get this: Hollywood Feed Pet Store plans to donate the biscuits for the dogs and two aprons with treat pockets for the lucky school auction winners who will get to feed biscuits to our friends during the morning drop off. This should be a great way to continue the dog love at Dogwood Elementary School.

This post was sponsored by Fenced In By Love by Dog Fence DIY 2014 at Dog Fence DYI as part of their Fenced in By Love Award.



31 comments:

mail4rosey said...

Kudos to your school and kudos to Hollywood Feed too!! That's really nice (all the way around). :)

Unknown said...

What a great idea. Dumb animals? DAs don't know when the weekend's over! Dogs know what's going on long before their human "masters". Thanks for sharing.

Binky said...

No if they could only get dogs in the school to help the teachers.

An Apel a Day said...

That's so cool!

My boy's school have a reading night. They have trained dogs in each group. There are teachers at each station to. They ready books about dogs. The kids really get into it.

Another Government Employee said...

When I was in fifth grade, one of my sister's had a Boston Terrier. The dog got out of the house one day and followed a couple older kids to the Middle School at the end of the street. The dog (and kids) had a blast for about an hour before my mom was notified. She said they had the dog sitting up in a desk just like a student.

Stan at NewToReno.com said...

If you like dogs, check out Nevada Humane Society in Reno, one of the top no-kill shelters in the whole country.

that suburban momma said...

So sweet! What an awesome idea!

Susan Demeter said...

Awww that is such a lovely idea :) More schools should be doing this :)

Susan Adcox said...

I don't have a dog, so didn't know about the practice of giving dogs treats at various drive-through windows. This is even better, though! The connections between kids and dogs are powerful.

Kristin Aquariann said...

Cute concept for a school! ^.^

Le said...

What a great idea. Good for the dogs and the kids.

Theresa Mahoney said...

My dogs would refuse the treats. They've been passed treats at 2 vets and Chick Fil A this week and looked at them like they were being given rat poison lol.

I love this school idea though!

Ms POSH said...

Those are really nice bones too. My dogs would be all over those. POSH

k~ said...

What a fun way to celebrate learning!

Jo said...

I think this idea rocks. Also love the reading dogs.

Debbie D. said...

This is a wonderful idea! Love the photos too. :)

stevebethere said...

Nice post Joyce, what a brilliant idea and great fun for the kids and dogs alike ...awww!

Have a doggytastic day Joyce and don't forget to save me a biscuit ;-)

Rhonda Albom said...

Lucky dogs, no wonder they are so enthusiastic on Monday morning.

Pat Hatt said...

Dogs happy to go to school, as over the treats they drool

Traveling Bells said...

What a fabulous idea, all the way around!

eastcoastlife said...

This is brilliant!
Happy Valentine's Day Joyce!

Erica said...

Cool!

Unknown said...

What an awesome program! So glad you highlighted it here. ♥

Mimi N said...

This is spectacular! I love how this school is loving on the other family members! I remember taking our cats in for show and tell before as well as our dog. Such a great part of any day, especially the dogs! =)

Self Sagacity said...

What a great way to give and to do nice things!

Suzy said...

A great programme. The RSPCA here in NZ also has similar programmes with hospices and schools.

Gattina said...

That's an excellent idea ! I have never heard about dogs in a school, but I know that there are specialized dogs for kids in hospitals and retirement homes ! A very good therapy !

BECKY said...

Hi Joyce! What a beautiful blog post! It's amazing the effect dogs have on humans. It would be wonderful if all schools had a similar reading program. Thanks for sharing such delightful info!

Firozali A.Mulla MBA PhD said...

I am sorry one thing I detest is dog even if the dog is a good friend

Claire Justine said...

Aww sweet dogs, If I had a dog again it would be a Labrador :)

Anonymous said...

This is wonderful. I wish my school had dog visitations. I know many students would benefit.