The American Dog Reports Photo courtesy of Deborah Pack with Outreach Christian Schooll
Each year in the United States, literally millions of dogs are killed at animal shelters because there aren't enough homes for them all. It's high time to start thinking creatively, to help put a stop to this terrible waste of unconditional love.
The American Dog proposes that schools across our country implement a life-saving teaching lesson: Why not adopt a classroom dog at your local animal shelter, to teach kids the importance of compassion, community, and reaching out a helping hand to a neighbor in need?
That's not all the kids will learn by teaming up with teachers to care for a K9. They'll also get first-hand experience in how to be responsible by caring for a pet"”it's a lesson they'll have loads of fun learning, and one they'll never forget. Teachers will have no problem with attendance; their pupils will be so excited to get to school on time just to greet the teacher's pet. As for the dogs, they will quite literally be saved by the bell"”the school bell! Talk about a win-win-win situation.
Take a page out of Deborah Pack's notebook. The Kansas City educator teaches Kindergarten and Pre-K at the Outreach Christian School. Last May, her five students graduated with their class pet, a Bulldog named Madeline that they helped to raise and train with verbal and hand commands. Madeline even graduated with "her" students, wearing a mortarboard and carrying a diploma in her mouth!
Speaking of the positive effects Madeline had on her students, the teacher said, "They learn compassion, kindness, and responsibility and they look past what is to what could be. When Madeline graduated, she was not a dog to them but a friend." And that's the most valuable lesson of all.
