For dogs, having a shelter is definitely a vast improvement compared to being on the streets. It ensures they receive food, water, assistance, and a safe place to stay. Most importantly, it provides them with hope and the chance to find their happily ever after.
Brooke Hughes, an educator at Hanby Elementary School in Wilmington, Delaware, understood this well when she selected Josie, a dog at Rags 2 Riches Animal Rescue in Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania, for her unique program.
She chose Josie to serve as her classroom puppy, allowing her to interact with the children and aid in their development in numerous ways. This new role would soon transform Josie’s life forever.
The Video That Changed Everything
As reported by Newsweek, Josie was among five puppies transported from South Carolina to Rags 2 Riches Animal Rescue. Fortunately, she caught the eye of Brooke, sparing her from a mundane existence in her kennel.
In addition to teaching at Hanby Elementary, Brooke, a passionate dog lover, founded Foster Tales Puppy Therapy, a program focusing on training puppies to offer social and emotional support, primarily to schoolchildren.
This is how Josie became a classroom puppy, quickly winning over the hearts of her young peers. Little did she know how one school visit would bring so much joy, thanks to a TikTok video posted by @fostertalespt.
Though Brooke had shared videos of Josie previously, this particular post piqued the interest of an elementary school counselor.
“Upon seeing her video, she felt inspired to adopt a puppy that had classroom experience and could serve as an emotional support dog,” shared Brooke.
This was undoubtedly a fortunate turn of events for Josie, as she not only secured a forever home but also continued to do what she loves most.
“She will be trained with the hope of becoming an emotional support dog, returning to her joyful environment—schools,” added Brooke with delight.
The transformative video from the Wilmington school is featured below.
Incredible Benefits
Brooke began fostering puppies during the pandemic, incorporating them into her virtual lessons. She was quickly taken aback by the positive outcomes and envisioned a great narrative.
“I noticed that even through a screen, these puppies were having a significant positive effect,” Brooke recalled. “I kept thinking about the myriad of amazing benefits these puppies could bring to our students and staff.”
Brooke believes that “[puppies] play an essential role in supporting mental well-being by providing comfort, companionship, and alleviating stress and anxiety levels among students.”
She also asserts that puppies assist young children in easily developing social skills and emotional intelligence. Moreover, they learn to take care of and train the dogs, fostering understanding of teamwork, self-discipline, and patience from an early age.
Additionally, the pups themselves benefit from these interactions, finding their forever homes in many cases, with Josie being one such lucky dog. Numerous dogs have already found loving families through this initiative, showcasing its effectiveness.
Ultimately, Brooke aspires this tale will motivate other educators to explore the potential benefits of canine companions. By rescuing a shelter dog, they not only perform a meaningful act but also aid in cultivating their students into compassionate individuals.
